![\"Retail](\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.retailgazette.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RG-featured-image-696x464.jpg\" "\\"John")
<\/div>\nJohn Lewis Partnership\u2019s rental housing scheme is at risk after local councillors promised to oppose the project as they accused the retailer of a \u201ctotal lack of respect\u201d.<\/p>\n
The development project in Bromley was labelled as \u201cjust not acceptable\u201d by the borough\u2019s Liberal Democrat Councillor who claimed the retailer failed to promise enough affordable homes, The Telegraph reported.<\/p>\n
John Lewis submitted planning applications for its projects in Bromley and West Ealing late last month, with the aim of building 353 flats about a Waitrose store in the South London borough.<\/p>\n
As part of the plans, it said that 35% of the properties will be\u00a0affordable housing\u00a0with a focus on provision for key workers \u2013 the minimum target set by the town\u2019s council.<\/p>\n
However, John Lewis revealed last month it needed grant funding to hit the threshold and was in talks with the Greater London Authority and the council.<\/p>\n
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free<\/strong><\/h5>\nSign up\u00a0here\u00a0to g<\/span>et the latest news straight into your inbox each morning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nCouncillor Julie Ireland said the retailer \u201cshould be able to fund this within their own resources\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were quite excited when we heard John Lewis was going to invest in Bromley, but they\u2019re not looking out for the community\u2026 It\u2019s showing a total lack of respect.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople would not be happy thinking that their council tax money is being used to subsidise this new project from John Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that Liberal Democrat councillors, representing the ward within Bromley where the project is due to take place, will be opposing the plans in their current form.<\/p>\n
The partnership has also faced trouble at its project in Ealing after lead councillor Peter Mason said the area \u201cdesperately needs rented homes, but those that our residents can afford, rather than overpriced flats to help John Lewis cash in on City workers\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as I can see, [John Lewis] hasn\u2019t committed to at least 35% affordable homes on paper. Previous discussions suggested they\u2019d even go lower. This simply won\u2019t stand.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesman for John Lewis said: \u201cAs the housing crisis continues to make headlines, especially in London where there\u2019s a significant lack of genuinely affordable properties, we\u2019re committed to building new affordable homes for rent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be setting aside properties for key workers, including nurses and teachers. This is an ongoing process where we\u2019ve been working closely with a range of local stakeholders across the proposed sites to meet the needs of the local community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor Julie Ireland said the retailer \u201cshould be able to fund this within their own resources\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were quite excited when we heard John Lewis was going to invest in Bromley, but they\u2019re not looking out for the community\u2026 It\u2019s showing a total lack of respect.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople would not be happy thinking that their council tax money is being used to subsidise this new project from John Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that Liberal Democrat councillors, representing the ward within Bromley where the project is due to take place, will be opposing the plans in their current form.<\/p>\n
The partnership has also faced trouble at its project in Ealing after lead councillor Peter Mason said the area \u201cdesperately needs rented homes, but those that our residents can afford, rather than overpriced flats to help John Lewis cash in on City workers\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as I can see, [John Lewis] hasn\u2019t committed to at least 35% affordable homes on paper. Previous discussions suggested they\u2019d even go lower. This simply won\u2019t stand.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesman for John Lewis said: \u201cAs the housing crisis continues to make headlines, especially in London where there\u2019s a significant lack of genuinely affordable properties, we\u2019re committed to building new affordable homes for rent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be setting aside properties for key workers, including nurses and teachers. This is an ongoing process where we\u2019ve been working closely with a range of local stakeholders across the proposed sites to meet the needs of the local community.\u201d<\/p>\n