John Lewis Partnership has submitted a planning application to build 215 rental homes in Reading as part of its property venture.
The proposals involve transforming a former distribution warehouse into 215 energy-efficient homes, 6,000 sq ft of internal amenity space, two new external garden spaces and an “improved public realm”.
The homes will be purpose built for renters with shared areas for fitness, home-working and socialising, and will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes. The scheme will provide 10% affordable homes at Reading Local Housing Allowance levels.
The John Lewis and Waitrose owner said the plans for the regeneration, which it estimates will cost more than £80m, have now been filed with Reading Borough Council.
If approved, it expects construction to start in early 2026, with the first residents to take occupancy in 2028.
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John Lewis Partnership director of build-to-rent Katherine Russell said: “We have worked closely with Reading Council’s planning officers, local residents and organisations to propose a scheme that will benefit residents and the wider community by transforming a disused industrial site into a thriving rental community.
“By revitalising brownfield land we have a fantastic opportunity to provide a significant number of homes which can help alleviate some of the growing pressure on Reading’s housing market.
“These will be homes not only developed by us, but managed by us, meaning we can offer quality service and a guarantee that homes will not be sold off, as so often happens in the rental market.”
In July, John Lewis Partnership received a resolution to grant planning consent to transform a south London Waitrose site next to Bromley South rail station, and is progressing another application in West Ealing five minutes from the local Crossrail station.
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