John Lewis to appeal Ealing scheme as council lags on decision

John Lewis Partnership has set out plans to launch an appeal for a decision on its application to develop 428 build-to-rent homes above its Waitrose store in West Ealing, west London. The Waitrose owner will submit an appeal on the grounds of “non-determination”, meaning the application will be considered by a planning inspector. The proposals were submitted nearly a year ago and are still being reviewed by Ealing Council. The retail group is aiming to be on site in late 2025, with works completing in 2029, subject to the appeal process. Proposals include 83 affordable rented homes, as well as shared areas for fitness, work and socialising and more than 36,500 sq ft of green space. JLP said it “firmly” believed in the broad-reaching benefits in creating vital new housing and a community space in West Ealing, while investing further into our retail estate”. It added that it was “confident” an appeal will grant permission. However, the plans faced resistance last year, after its public consultation saw some 96% of respondents object to the scheme. Katherine Russell, director of build-to-rent at JLP, said: “We have taken the decision to appeal for non-determination of our planning application to build new rental homes nearly one year on from first submitting it to Ealing Council. “Our proposals will create hundreds of homes at a time when all political parties agree there’s a desperate need for more housing and local investment to spur economic growth, with a priority on brownfield land.  “An appeal is not something we take lightly, however, we believe we have strong grounds to be successful given the opportunity to transform an under-used brownfield site close to the publicly funded Crossrail station with new homes and investment that will benefit the wider community.” James Dunne, head of operational real estate at abrdn, which has a £500m joint venture with JLP, said: “We remain fully committed to our strategy of creating thousands of critically needed quality rental homes alongside John Lewis Partnership and look forward to the outcome of the ongoing due process in West Ealing.” Images © Secchi Smith & LDS