SAVE Britain’s Heritage launches crowdfunder ahead of M&S public inquiry

The inquiry, ordered by former Communities Secretary Michael Gove in June, will begin on 25 October and is scheduled to last a fortnight.

SAVE, which together with the AJ, organised an open letter to Gove calling for a planning appeal ahead of his decision, announced that it will be a 'rule 6 party' at the inquiry, meaning it will lead the case against M&S’s plans but now says it needs money to help pay the fees of its barrister, Matthew Fraser of Landmark Chambers, and expert witnesses.

The case has attracted huge media attention ever since the AJ revealed that Pilbrow + Partners' demolition and replacement of the well-known 1929 structure would have an upfront cost of almost 40,000 tonnes of Co₂ – the equivalent of driving a typical car 99 million miles, further than the distance to the Sun.

Director of SAVE, Henrietta Billings, said: 'In the face of a climate emergency we have to rethink our disposable attitude to buildings. We are confident we have a strong case and we are looking forward to making our arguments as powerfully as possible at the public inquiry. This is where the fate of this West End landmark will be decided – and it could change the course of construction in the UK.'

Marcus Binney, the charity's executive president, added: 'SAVE successfully fought two public inquiries to stop the demolition of Smithfield General Market and another to secure the repair and revival of 400 artisans’ houses in Liverpool’s Welsh Streets. We have a first-class team lined up for the M&S inquiry. Please show your support with a donation.'

As well as highlighting the embodied carbon arguments including those made by expert Simon Sturgis in favour of the alternative approach of a 'deep retrofit' of the existing building, SAVE will argue that there is no justification in M&S bulldozing its 'handsome' landmark store, which the charity insists could last another 100 years.

A spokesperson said: 'The existing Portland stone landmark, with its oxidised panels and pilasters referencing its world-famous neighbour Selfridges, has characterised this prominent corner near Marble Arch for almost a century...the loss of this handsome building would be extreme and disproportionate, especially in the historic setting of the nearby conservation area.'

While M&S is known for its 'Plan A' sustainability programme and is committed to achieving net zero across its products and supply chain by 2040, it reacted with fury to Gove's decision to call in the project in June, saying it was 'bewildered and disappointed' by what it called a 'baseless decision'. The retailer also branded the call-in 'political grandstanding' and raised concerns that the move would have 'a chilling affect for regeneration programmes' across the country.

M&S has been approached for comment.