The John Lewis Partnership has secured planning to transform its Waitrose site in Bromley into a new residential community alongside a modernised Waitrose store.
The London Borough of Bromley agreed with the recommendation of its planning officers, to give a resolution to grant consent for the application, which had received 147 letters of support from local residents – which exceeded those who opposed of the proposal.
Planning approval also reinforces John Lewis Partnership’s long-term plans to manage thousands of its branded homes.
The new Bromley scheme will deliver 353 energy efficient units in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom Build to Rent homes, alongside as much affordable housing that is commercially viable. Local people will be prioritised for the new homes and residents will be offered long-term tenancies, so they are able to live in the scheme for as long as they wish.
“We’re delighted that the elected members have agreed with the recommendations of their planning officials and after receiving significant support from the residents of Bromley. This now gives us the opportunity to enhance the local area, create vital new housing for the local people of Bromley and deliver a state-of-the-art Waitrose, which sits at the heart of the community.” – Katherine Russell, Director of BTR, John Lewis Partnership
The Build to Rent development will include shared areas for fitness, home-working and socialising, new public green spaces and a café, alongside amenity spaces for local community groups and schools.
Residents will also benefit from cycle and pedestrian links through the site, which will link to the High Street and surrounding area. The site is also located next to Bromley South Rail Station in the town centre, and it is at the intersection of major roads.
The Bromley scheme will be developed, owned and managed by JLP. It will also see the local economy boosted by an estimated £70m in extra council tax and local spend over the first ten years, once homes are occupied.
Savills advised John Lewis Partnership’s on social value – and worked with Katherine to create meaningful community projects and charitable initiatives. Savills’ Head of Social Value told us of the importance of community engagement.
“This is a positive and important result that primarily drew more local support than opposition because JLP had conducted significant community engagement, listening to what many people wanted from the town centre regeneration. This isn’t just about the creation of homes, but also about creating a diverse space that will benefit the local area. The basis of this sort of project is to ensure we create new communities, which is the kind of concept that councils should be championing up and down the country.” – Wesley Ankrah, Head of Social Value, Savills Earth
In December 2022, global investment company abrdn and John Lewis Partnership’s announced a £500m joint venture to deliver around 1,000 new homes across three local communities which includes this Bromley site alongside sites in West Ealing and Reading.
The joint venture brings together abrdn’s experience as one of Europe’s largest residential investment managers with the trust, service and quality synonymous with the John Lewis and Waitrose brands.
“Well designed and professionally managed rental homes are a vital component in helping to solve the UK’s housing needs. Build to Rent on brownfield sites such as this can also act as an anchor for town centre regeneration and wider community investment […]. We look forward to continuing working closely with John Lewis Partnership to move forward with our strategy.” – James Dunne, Head of Operational Real Estate, abrdn
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