John Lewis Partnership gets green light for new rental homes in Bromley

The John Lewis Partnership has received the green light to transform its Waitrose site in Bromley into a new residential community of 353 energy efficient, rental homes and a modernised 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 to exceed those who opposed the proposal.

On the back of a successful outcome, JLP is now looking forward to progressing the project.

Local people will be prioritised for the new ‘build to rent’ homes, which will be developed, owned and managed by JLP. The investment will see the local economy boosted by an estimated £70m in extra council tax and local spend over the first 10 years, once homes are occupied.

Plans also feature new public green spaces, a cafe and amenity spaces for local community groups and schools to use as well as cycle and pedestrian links through the site linking it to the High Street and surrounding area

London’s planning policy directs new homes to be built on brownfield sites in well-connected and sustainable central locations like Waitrose Bromley which sits next to Bromley South Rail Station in the town centre and at the intersection of major roads.

The homes - purpose built for renters with shared areas for fitness, home-working and socialising - will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes to accommodate different sized households and as much affordable housing as is commercially viable. Options for long-term tenancies will be offered to provide residents with the opportunity to remain living there for as long as they wish.

Katherine Russell, the John Lewis Partnership’s Director of BTR, said: “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. ”

James Dunne, head of operational real estate at abrdn, which has a £500m joint venture with JLP to deliver around 1,000 new homes across three local communities, including Bromley, added: “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 JLP to move forward with our strategy.”