John Lewis rental home scheme gets go-ahead
What: John Lewis Partnership secures planning approval for 428-apartment mixed-use development above West Ealing Waitrose, including 83 affordable homes and store modernisation.
Why it is important: The development represents a strategic evolution in retail property management, combining modernised retail space with residential solutions to maximise asset value and community impact.
John Lewis Partnership has achieved a significant milestone with the approval of its West Ealing development plan following a planning appeal. The ambitious project will transform the existing Waitrose store site into a mixed-use development featuring 428 rental apartments, including 83 affordable homes. The development, part of a GBP 500 million joint venture with investment company Abrdn, represents a key component of the Partnership's strategy to optimize its property portfolio while addressing housing needs. The project, scheduled for completion in 2029, includes a comprehensive modernization of the Waitrose store with improved parking facilities. This development forms part of John Lewis Partnership's broader vision to create 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with similar projects planned for Bromley and Reading. Katherine Russell, director of build-to-rent, emphasises the development's alignment with policy commitments supporting brownfield development near transport hubs.
IADS Notes: The approval of John Lewis Partnership's West Ealing development in May 2025 marks a significant milestone in the retailer's property optimisation strategy. This project, featuring 428 rental apartments including 83 affordable units, builds upon the successful Bromley development approval in July 2024, demonstrating the company's growing expertise in mixed-use developments. The initiative aligns with the Partnership's refined approach to retail transformation, supported by their March 2024 GBP 542 million investment in store refurbishments and further reinforced by an GBP 800 million retail enhancement program announced in October 2024. The modernisation of the Waitrose store within the development complements Waitrose's broader GBP 1 billion investment in store renovations announced in September 2024, showcasing how the Partnership is effectively balancing property development with core retail excellence.
