A major British retailer has been given the green light to build company-first HOMES as it plans to build 350 new apartments

A major UK retailer has been given the green light to build 350 new homes, a first for the company.

John Lewis has revealed plans to transform its Waitrose site in Bromley, south-east London.

The firm will build 353 rental apartments on top of the existing supermarket, which will also undergo a refurbishment.

The apartments will be built for rent with common areas for fitness, socializing and working from home.

These will include a mix of one, two and three-bed flats – and “as much affordable housing as is commercially viable”.

Only one in ten apartments will be classified as “affordable”, meaning their rents will be set at 80% of the market rate.

The John Lewis Partnership initially promised to class more than a third of new homes as affordable.

JLP’s Katherine Russell said: “We are delighted that elected members have agreed with the recommendations of their planning officers.

“The recommendations have received significant support from the people of Bromley.

“This now gives us the opportunity to improve the local area, to create vital new homes for the local people of Bromley.

“We will also deliver a state-of-the-art Waitrose that is at the heart of the community.”

Property firm Abrdn has signed a £500m joint venture with JLP to build 1,000 new homes on three different sites.

Abrdn’s James Dunne said: “Well-designed and professionally managed rental homes are a vital component in helping to address the UK’s housing needs.

“Building for rent on brownfield sites such as these can also act as an anchor for town center regeneration and wider community investment.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with JLP to move forward with our strategy.”