The High Court has today (1 March) ruled that the secretary of state’s planning decision to block M&S’s proposal to redevelop its Marble Arch store was ‘unlawful’.

M&S launched the planning appeal last month, following secretary of state Michael Gove’s previous rejection of the plans which would see the Art Deco building on London’s Oxford Street demolished.

M&S operations director Sacha Berendji said: “Today’s judgment couldn’t be clearer, the court has agreed with our arguments on five out of the six counts we brought forward and ruled that the secretary of state’s decision to block the redevelopment of our Marble Arch store was unlawful.

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“The result has been a long, unnecessary and costly delay to the only retail-led regeneration on Oxford Street which would deliver one of London’s greenest buildings, create thousands of new jobs and rejuvenate the capital’s premier shopping district.

“The Secretary of State now has the power to unlock the wide-ranging benefits of this significant investment and send a clear message to UK and global business that the government supports sustainable growth and the regeneration of our towns and cities.”

Last year, Gove blocked the retailer’s request to redevelop its London flagship, citing heritage and environmental reasons.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin termed the decision at the time as “utterly pathetic” and a “short-sighted act of self-sabotage”, and described the building as “aged and a labyrinthian site”.