Michael Gove has blocked the demolition of Oxford Street’s Marks & Spencer so ministers can scrutinise the plans.
The Communities Secretary has told Westminster council to “pause” an application to knock down the nearly 100-year-old landmark in the heart of London’s shopping district.
The order, known as an Article 31 holding direction, means the local authority cannot grant planning permission for the controversial redevelopment until the Government has scrutinised the plans.
M&S wants to replace its Edwardian store next to Selfridges with a 10-storey building, which will include office space and a gym above a smaller shop and a new pedestrian arcade.
Particular concerns have been raised about the “carbon footprint” of the project.
But last week Sadiq Khan decided the redevelopment can go ahead despite environmental concerns .
The mayor reviewed a decision not to intervene in the application after an expert warned the scheme contradicted new City Hall policies requiring the retention and retro-fitting of old buildings to be prioritised.
The review was sparked by a report for Save Britain’s Heritage by embodied carbon expert Simon Sturgis who argued that, compared with demolition, a comprehensive refurbishment was the better option.
But Mr Khan said he was content that the “carbon footprint” of demolition had been considered from an early stage and referred it back to Westminster council for final approval.
Mr Gove can now derail the scheme, which neighbourhood campaigners fear will result in a further loss of Oxford Street’s character.
He will review the project and decide whether to call in the application, which takes the decision out of the council's hands, or conclude that local councillors can decide the application itself.
A spokesman for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the application will be “assessed against published policy on calling-in applications and a decision will be issued in due course”.
An M&S spokesman said: “The plans we have submitted to build a new, vibrant M&S store fit for modern retail and sustainable office space has been approved at every stage and strongly supported by the local community as a key part of the regeneration of an iconic part of London.
“As well as attracting new investment and footfall, a detailed assessment on the carbon impact across the whole lifecycle of the building was undertaken by independent experts who concluded that the new build offered significant sustainability advantages over a refurbishment.”
