SAVE calls for planning policy reform after M&S go-ahead
Heritage group SAVE is calling for urgent reform to national planning policy after the government’s decision to allow Marks & Spencer to demolish and rebuild its flagship building on Oxford Street.
The call follows secretary of state Angela Rayner’s decision yesterday which gave M&S permission to demolish its 1930s department store building for a replacement office block and ground-floor food store.
SAVE was always against the plans, urging instead for the property to be refurbished.
Heritage group SAVE is calling for urgent reform to national planning policy after the government’s decision to allow Marks & Spencer to demolish and rebuild its flagship building on Oxford Street.
The call follows secretary of state Angela Rayner’s decision yesterday which gave M&S permission to demolish its 1930s department store building for a replacement office block and ground-floor food store.
SAVE was always against the plans, urging instead for the property to be refurbished.
The body is now calling for reform of planning policy to “strongly prioritise” reusing historic buildings in national planning policy, end permitted development rights that allow building owners to sidestep the planning permission process to achieve quick demolition permits and to count the carbon emitted by the construction of buildings, not just the carbon emitted while they are in use.
Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “”No one is suggesting these buildings are pickled in aspic – it’s a pro-growth approach. Restored and transformed buildings have turbo-charged regeneration all over the country, everywhere from Tate Modern in London to former department stores in Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh and Gloucester.
“Our campaign has triggered unprecedented media and public interest and has shown – through the support we received from architects, developers and engineers and our joint AJ/SAVE Re:store architectural ideas competition – that there are plenty of creative ideas and appetite. What industry needs now is clear direction from government. That’s why we are calling today for urgent policy reforms.”
Simon Sturgis, founder of Targeting Zero, government adviser on sustainability and SAVE’s expert witness at the public inquiry, added: “The secretary of state’s decision on M&S continues the uncertainty with respect to prioritising retrofit over demolition.
“As we approach net zero in 2050 it is inevitable that retrofit will become increasingly crucial in helping achieve government carbon and waste reduction targets. The government now needs to ensure that net zero legislation is embedded in planning policy to make it fit for dealing with the climate crisis of the 21st century.”
Tyler Goodwin, founder and chief executive of Seaforth Land, said: “SAVE’s M&S campaign has been a defining case for the property industry at a critical moment in history. As a developer, I see the clear commercial benefits of reusing historic buildings.
“Tenants are relying on their office space to win the war for talent and to earn their commute back to the office and we are seeing a material shift in demand for best-in-class buildings that can offer a unique, authentic and sustainable office experience that a generic glass box just can’t provide.
He added: “If M&S doesn’t want Orchard House, I’m confident there is an exciting adaptive reuse scheme in its future.”
Image © Pilbrow & Partners
