John Lewis has been given the go ahead to build 350 flats near a south London station despite some residents’ objections.
The retailer will build around 320 rental flats and 30 affordable homes above a Waitrose supermarket near Bromley South station after plans were approved by the local authority.
It will see three residential towers of 10, 19 and 24 floors constructed, delivering a total of 353 homes.
It is John Lewis’ first approved foray into house building in London in a bid to diversify its retail sites and bring in extra income.
Councillors approved the scheme after hearing of the “very significant contribution to the housing supply in the borough making efficient use of land”.
Construction is slated to begin in early 2025 and to be finished by 2029.
Some residents had opposed the scheme, with 109 formal objections received by the council, although this was less than the 144 messages in support.
One residents’ group raised objections that the cluster of towers would be “overbearing” and “damaging to the local environment and amenity of nearby residents”.
Of particular concern was the nearby residential Perigon Heights development, where some residents had raised fears of being left in darkness by the Waitrose towers.
But planning officials recommended approval anyway on the grounds that the any “meaningful increase in massing” on the site “would inevitably result in changes to the level of amenities currently enjoyed by adjoining occupiers”.
The £500million project will be operated as a joint venture between the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) and the real estate company Abrdn.
Katherine Russell, John Lewis Partnership’s director of Build To Rent, said: “We’re delighted that the elected members have agreed with the recommendations of their planning officials and after receiving significant support from the residents of Bromley.
“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.”
Bromley Council planning chair, Cllr Alexa Michael, said: “This development will make an essential contribution of much-needed housing in Bromley, while also providing a significant boost to the local economy.
“While finely balanced with many factors to consider, the proposal represents a clear net benefit to the borough and enhances local housing supply, which optimises land use on this highly-accessible brownfield site at the edge of Bromley’s town centre.”
Plans for a similar scheme by supermarket giant Asda in Acton, which would see 1500 homes built in Park Royal were unveiled in May.
