John Lewis gains approval for West Ealing housing plans

John Lewis Partnership has had its application to build more than 400 homes above its Waitrose store in West Ealing, London, approved following a successful appeal.

A government planning inspector confirmed the retailer’s plans had been given the go ahead after it submitted an appeal last June on the grounds of a ‘non-determination’.

The application to revamp the Waitrose supermarket and car park was initially made in 2023, compromising of plans to with build 428 homes – including 83 affordable rental homes – and shared areas for fitness, work and socialising, as well as more than 36,500sq ft of green space.

The inspector’s decision follows the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million more homes during the next five years and its new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in December, giving “substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes”.

John Lewis Partnership director of build-to-rent Katherine Russell said: “We’re pleased that the inspector has found in favour of the multi-million-pound investment that will create vital new housing and a modernised Waitrose store to serve a community we have been part of for decades.

“The decision underpins a clear policy commitment to supporting brownfield development close to key transport hubs.”

She added: “We will continue to work closely with local people to bring forward the development responsibly and ensure it delivers long-term benefits, both to residents and the wider community as a whole.”

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