John Lewis gets green light to build more than 350 rental…

John Lewis Partnership has been given the go-ahead to turn its Waitrose site in Bromley into a new 353-home Build To Rent scheme.

It is a milestone for the company, which has been trying to get permission to develop housing for years as it looks to diversify.

Bromley Council has given the go-ahead for the scheme, which will give priority to local residents for occupation when the development is complete – it will be owned and managed by JLP itself.

The investment will boost the local economy with an estimated additional £70 million in tax and local spending over the first 10 years once the homes are occupied.

The plans include new public green spaces, a cafe and leisure spaces for local community groups and schools to use, as well as cycle and pedestrian links through the site, linking it to a local street and the surrounding area.

London’s planning policy calls for new housing to be built on brownfield land in well-connected and sustainable central locations, such as Waitrose Bromley, which is next to Bromley South Station in the city center and at the intersection of major roads.

The homes – which will also include areas for fitness, home work and socializing – will involve a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes to accommodate households of different sizes and “as much affordable housing as is commercially viable,” according to a statement. from the partnership.

Long-term rental options will be offered to give residents the opportunity to stay there as long as they want.

Katherine Russell, JLP director of Build To Rent, says: “This now gives us the opportunity to improve the local area, create vital new homes for local Bromley residents and deliver a state-of-the-art Waitrose which is at the heart of community.”

James Dunne, head of operational property at abrdn – which has a £500m joint venture with JLP to deliver around 1,000 new homes in three local communities, including Bromley – adds: “Well designed and managed rental homes professionals are a vital component in helping to solve the UK’s housing needs. Building for rent on brownfield sites such as these can also act as an anchor for city center regeneration and wider community investment. We look forward to continuing to work closely with JLP to move forward with our strategy.”