The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has announced the first three locations where it proposes building new rental homes that would offer the trust, quality and service people expect from JLP.

The homes would form part of the UK’s growing build to rent (BTR) property market as JLP seeks to raise standards in rental property as developers and landlords.

The three proposed sites include:

  • West Ealing, close to the first ever Waitrose in Acton
  • Bromley
  • Mill Lane, Reading.

Residents in Bromley and West Ealing will be invited to several rounds of public consultation over the coming months to discuss the principle of helping deliver much-needed homes. The redevelopment of the Waitrose stores would see significant improvements.

Detailed designs will not be shown until later in the year to allow residents to shape the plans at this early stage. Subject to the feedback received during these consultations, the intention would be to submit planning applications for Bromley and West Ealing next year.

The three locations are the first sites to be announced after JLP confirmed its target to deliver 10,000 homes in the next ten years – 5,000 will come from schemes on the JLP’s property portfolio. Moving into the rental homes market is part of the long-term plan for 40 per cent of profits to come from outside retail by 2030.

The homes would be built for different sized households and designed to high standards. Residents would have options for short and long-term tenure and to have the homes furnished by John Lewis. Creating a sense of community through incorporating shared spaces and facilities such as roof gardens and fitness studios and exploring how schemes can play a role in the wider community would be integral to the approach.

Nina Bhatia, executive director for strategy and commercial development at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Everything people love about our brand – quality, trust and service – we want to bring to the experience of renting a home with us. Our role as developer and operator, as well as an already established local business and employer, signals our ambition to bring long-term value to each of these communities. Helping to create homes has always been at the heart of what we do, and we now have a unique opportunity to use our expertise and skills in new ways to deliver much-needed new housing.”

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