JLP pushes ahead with build to rent sites

John Lewis (JLP) has submitted planning applications for its Build to Rent sites at West Ealing and Bromley in London. Plans for a vacant warehouse site in Reading will be brought forward later this year.

The retail giant said it was pushing ahead with its commitment to build and manage rental homes as part of a drive to help “address the UK housing crisis”.

It follows its announcement last December of a £500m multidecade joint venture with global investment company abrdn to build around 1,000 new homes across the three sites.

The plans would see 428 new homes in West Ealing and 353 in Bromley, and JLP’s ambition is 35% of the properties would be affordable housing with a focus on key workers.

A public piazza, a new Waitrose shop and café, pedestrian and cyclist access, roof gardens, flexible workspaces and a gym are all proposed as part of the developments.

Sheldon Bosley Knight’s associate director, Nik Kyriacou said: “Landlords should take comfort from the fact an organisation the size of JLP is stepping into the rental market. It shows there is confidence in the sector which is a good thing.

“However this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to increasing supply and I hope other such organisations who have sites at their disposal think about how they can best use it to create more much-needed rental stock and follow this example.”