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UK department store John Lewis has received planning approval to create 353 rental homes on its Waitrose supermarket site in Bromley, London.

The build-to-rent homes will be owned and managed by the John Lewis Partnership, the company that operates John Lewis stores and Waitrose supermarkets, among other services.

With approval granted by the London Borough of Bromley, it will be the company’s first housing project, after it announced its plans to become a residential landlord in 2021.

It will be built on the site of the existing Bromley South Waitrose supermarket. This will be updated and 353 “energy-efficient” homes will be created, according to the John Lewis Partnership.

The project will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, some of which will be affordable homes, and priority will be given to people already living and working in Bromley.

John Lewis Partnership plans to build more homes in the future

Aiming to boost the local Bromley economy, the John Lewis Partnership hopes to create and manage more branded homes in the future.

“The investment will see the local economy boosted by an estimated £70 million in extra council tax and local spend over the first 10 years, once homes are occupied,” said the company.

“Approval reinforces long-term commitment plans to manage thousands of John Lewis Partnership-branded homes.”

Project received “significant support from the residents of Bromley”

There will be shared fitness areas in the housing, as well as communal space for at-home working and socialising.

The project will also be populated with new public green space, a cafe and amenity spaces designed for schools and local community groups.

Cycle and pedestrian lanes will connect the development to the nearby high street, railway station and surrounding area.

“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,” said John Lewis Partnership director Katherine Russel.

“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.”

Elsewhere in London, architecture studio KPF revealed its plans to transform the Foster + Partners-designed HSBC tower and British studio RSHP is set to create cylindrical housing in the Bromley-by-Bow Victorian gas holders.

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