John Lewis Pushes on with Waitrose Development
Looking for development partner for revised scheme with more flats
The planned frontage along Alexandra Road. Picture: JLP
March 20, 2026
The housing project at site of the West Ealing branch of Waitrose, thought to be in danger of cancellation, will still go ahead and with even more flats than planned.
There had been concerns that plans to build 428 rental units above a new store would be abandoned after the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) announced in February plans to withdraw from the build to rent housing market. However, on Wednesday evening (18 March), Ealing Council approved plans to add even more residential capacity to the site, bringing the total to 465 flats.
At the meeting, a planning officer explained that John Lewis will “remain a delivery partner” and “seek to find someone to take over the homes.” The Local Democracy Reporting Service [LDRS] understands that JLP will seek a “development partner” to deliver the construction of the scheme.
Not only is the scheme going ahead, but it is being expanded in all but name. By ‘optimising’ the site by moving the service yard and reducing the floor to ceiling height, the developer has been able to provide an additional 37 flats without increasing the building height.
The scheme has faced fierce opposition locally, with some criticising Ealing Council directly when it opted not to contest a planning appeal made by JLP. In 2024, campaigners told the LDRS that the council had ‘bitterly betrayed’ West Ealing residents.
JLP won the appeal to push through the plans, which include proposals for four tower blocks at heights of 11, 16, 18 and 20 storeys high. Of the 428 properties initially proposed, only 83 had been deemed affordable, which fell short of building requirements outlined in the London Plan.
This framework used by councils across London requires developers to make at least 35 per cent of the properties affordable. To meet that threshold, JLP would need to make an extra 67 apartments affordable, as it currently stands at 19 per cent.
Despite the additional 37 flats, there has been minimal change to the proportion of affordable housing which now accounts for 20 per cent of homes. That one per cent increase remains 15 per cent below the London Plan requirements.
There have also been amendments made reducing the number of one-bedroom flats in favour of larger homes. There will now be 17 less one-bedroom flats, 41 extra two-bedroom, and three new 3-beds including the additional 37 homes approved.
The tenure split is unchanged. 70 per cent of the project will provide discount market rent, and 30 per cent will provide the equivalent of London Affordable Rent.
The Section 106 financial contributions have increased by £275,811 to a new total of £3,466,277 to address the impact of the 37 additional flats and the revised Energy Strategy. However, all non-financial obligations from the previous scheme, such as those relating to affordable housing and viability reviews, remain unchanged.
All present councillors voted in favour of the amendments to the original plans.
Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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