John Lewis Partnership is awaiting a decision on a major redevelopment proposal in West Ealing.
- The plan includes 428 homes atop Waitrose, with 83 being affordable rentals.
- Ealing Council has delayed the decision for nearly a year, prompting an appeal.
- Katherine Russell cites a desperate need for housing and economic growth as reasons for the appeal.
- Under Dame Sharon White, the company seeks to diversify profit sources outside retail by 2030.
John Lewis Partnership is currently seeking a resolution to its proposed redevelopment project in West Ealing, Greater London. The project, submitted for planning approval on 30 June 2023, entails constructing 428 homes, of which 83 are designated as affordable rental units, above the existing Waitrose store. Despite nearly a year passing since the application was submitted, Ealing Council has yet to provide a determination, leading to a planned appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Katherine Russell, the build-to-rent director for John Lewis Partnership, highlighted the significance of the redevelopment plans, stating, “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 due to “non-determination” is seen as a necessary step to advance their strategy to develop 10,000 homes over the next decade, diversifying their income base beyond the retail sector.
The redevelopment initiative is part of a larger £500 million joint venture with investment firm Abrdn that aims to repurpose spaces above Waitrose stores in West Ealing and Bromley, as well as a vacant John Lewis warehouse in Reading. This aligns with the broader ambition, under the leadership of chair Dame Sharon White, to derive 40% of profits from non-retail avenues, including build-to-rent schemes and financial services, by the year 2030.
Dame Sharon White, who is slated for replacement by former Tesco CEO Jason Tarry in September following her decision not to seek re-election, has been instrumental in driving these transformation plans. The appeal for non-determination is not taken lightly, but it underscores a commitment to capitalise on under-utilised sites like the one in question, which is conveniently located near the publicly funded Crossrail station, offering a potentially transformative opportunity for both housing supply and regional investment.
The John Lewis Partnership’s appeal signifies its determination to innovate and adapt its income strategies beyond traditional retail.
