John Lewis has been granted planning permission for ‘ Waitrose Tower’ – a high-rise tower block looming above one of its upmarket grocery stores in Bromley.
Bromley Council’s development committee signed off on allowing the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) – which owns both the department stores and Waitrose supermarkets – to proceed with the plans last night.
It comes as JLP looks to expand its business, moving into housing as part of a £500million investment deal with Abrdn that will, the retail giant hopes, see 40 per cent of its profit come from outside the world of shopping.
Objectors to the plans said the 135m-tall building will ‘dwarf’ the area – but planners recommended local councillors should green-light the plans because they make a ‘very significant contribution’ to the housing supply in the south London borough.
The Masons Hill tower will include 30 ‘discount market rent’ flats at London Living Rent rates – a below-average rent rate set by the Mayor of London’s office. It is currently an average of £1,267 for a two-bedroom home.
An artist’s impression of the 353-home block of flats dubbed ‘Waitrose Tower’ that has been approved in Bromley
Three quarters of the flats will be furnished with John Lewis furniture (pictured: a selection of John Lewis home furnishings)
The existing Waitrose on Masons Hill in Bromley. Planners have admitted the new development will negatively impact residents of the existing Perigon Heights tower (middle of image)
John Lewis is also applying to build almost 430 homes in West Ealing
John Lewis says the homes will be energy efficient, and that it will discourage private car ownership by offering car club membership to tenants.
Some 75 per cent of the flats will come fully furnished with John Lewis goods.
There will be no new parking spaces on the development, and residents will not be able to apply for parking permits on the street under a condition agreed as part of the planning approval – with the exception of Blue Badge holders.
The number of spaces at the existing Waitrose store, which will be redeveloped as part of the plans, will also be cut from 199 to 140.
Planning officers at the council admitted the development would have a negative impact on those living in the nearby Perigon Heights block.
The building does not meet some requirements on flood risks, and planners say the number of London Living Rent flats offered is ‘significantly below expectation’.
There were also 109 objections to the plans – and 144 notes of support.
The council ultimately said it was supportive of the ‘finely balanced case’ to permit the development.
‘The proposal would make a very significant contribution to the housing supply in the Borough making efficient use of land and would help to address the Council’s acute housing delivery shortages,’ the report presented last night read.
Katherine Russell, director of build-to-rent at JLP, said: ‘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.’
JLP aims to start work on the site next year and hopes to complete the project by 2029. But it also has its sights set on building houses elsewhere in the capital.
In June, it announced it is appealing to Ealing Council on the grounds of ‘non-determination’ after submitting plans for 428 homes.
The proposed homes are near to West Ealing station on the Elizabeth Line and include 83 affordable rental homes. The appeal is due to be assessed by a planning inspector.
But the firm has come under fire from a group of Ealing residents – called Stop the Towers – which has urged the council to reject the plans.
