UK: The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) is to launch a planning appeal over a proposed BTR scheme based around the redevelopment of a Waitrose site in West Ealing.
The appeal is on the grounds of a non-determination – the application, which was submitted nearly a year ago is still being reviewed by Ealing Council, and will now be considered by a planning inspector.
A company statement said: “We firmly believe in the broad-reaching benefits in creating vital new housing and a community space in West Ealing, while investing further into our retail estate. And we are confident that an appeal will grant permission and we will continue to work closely with the Council and local community to deliver on a range of social and charitable initiatives should the plans go ahead.”
The proposals, located 350 metres from the West Ealing Crossrail station, include 428 homes including 83 affordable rented homes, shared areas for fitness, work and socialising, and the provision of more than 36,500 square feet of green space.
JLP says it has evolved its plans extensively “through careful community engagement and been committed to refining our proposals against a backdrop of clear policy support for brownfield development, urban greening and regeneration close to transport links”.
All homes will have onsite 24/7 management by JLP, contain John Lewis furniture and meet the highest energy efficiency standards. Hot air from refrigerators piped up from a new, modernised Waitrose store will help heat water in the homes to cut bills even further.
Katherine Russell, director of BTR at JLP, said: “We have taken the decision to appeal for non-determination of our planning application to build new rental homes nearly one year on from first submitting it to Ealing Council. Our proposals will create hundreds of homes at a time when all political parties agree there’s a desperate need for more housing and local investment to spur economic growth, with a priority on brownfield land.
“An appeal is not something we take lightly, however, we believe we have strong grounds to be successful given the opportunity to transform an under-used brownfield site close to the publicly-funded Crossrail station with new homes and investment that will benefit the wider community,” she added.
The development is part of a £500 million joint venture with global investment company abrdn to deliver around 1,000 new BTR homes in Bromley, West Ealing and Reading.
“We remain fully committed to our strategy of creating thousands of critically needed quality rental homes alongside John Lewis Partnership and look forward to the outcome of the ongoing due process in West Ealing,” said James Dunne, head of operational real estate at abrdn.
