Green light for John Lewis build-to-rent scheme in Bromley

Savills has secured full planning permission for John Lewis Partnership (JLP)’s first flagship build-to-rent project, above a Waitrose store in Bromley South.

The project will deliver 353 new build-to-rent homes on a brownfield site in Bromley town centre, all managed by JLP and prioritised for local people.

Also included in plans are a modernised Waitrose store, a cafe fronting the new public piazza, and three new pedestrian and cycling routes through the site, including a ‘woodland link’.

The scheme, designed by Assael Architects, will reportedly provide a £70 million boost to the local economy in extra council tax and local spend over the first 10 years, once homes are occupied.

It will also see the provision of 200 construction jobs.

Amelia Hunt, of Savills planning team, said: “John Lewis Partnership’s flagship build-to-rent scheme is an important project, delivering much-needed homes for local people on a highly accessible brownfield site in Bromley.”

Wesley Ankrah, head of social value at Savills Earth, added: “This is a positive and important result that primarily drew more local support than opposition.

“JLP conducted significant community engagement, listening to what many people wanted from the town centre regeneration.

“This isn’t just about the creation of homes, but also creating a diverse space that will benefit the local area.

“The basis of this sort of project is to ensure we create new communities, which is the kind of concept that councils should be championing up and down the country.”