John Lewis has earmarked three sites in Reading, Berkshire, Bromley, Kent and Ealing in west London in an ambitious scheme to create 10,000 rental properties over the next 10 years.
The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has confirmed the first locations where it will build hundreds of rental homes as part of the group’s plans to expand outside of traditional shops.
The group, which runs both the John Lewis department store arm and Waitrose grocery business, is pushing forward with proposals for three sites.
JLP plans to build properties over Waitrose shops in Bromley and West Ealing in Greater London, as well as replacing a vacant John Lewis warehouse in Mill Lane, Reading, with accommodation.
The full details have not yet been disclosed prior to consultations but it is understood these three projects will create a few hundred homes.
JLP said it will develop two sites for rental properties above Waitrose stores (Waitrose/PA)
Local residents in Bromley and West Ealing will be invited to several rounds of public consultation over the coming months to discuss the redevelopment, the business said.
JLP added that detailed designs will not be shown until later in the year to give residents the opportunity to help shape the plans.
The group then intends to submit planning applications for Bromley and West Ealing next year following local feedback.
Meanwhile, a period of public consultation is expected to take place for the Reading site later this year.
The sites are part of JLP’s target to deliver 10,000 homes in the next 10 years, with at least half of these coming schemes linked to the retail group’s own property portfolio.
It makes part of the group’s ambition to secure 40% of its profits outside of retail by 2030.