Amended plans for the redevelopment of the Waitrose site in West Ealing have been approved by Ealing Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (18 March 2026), despite its owner, the John Lewis Partnership, announcing last month (25 February 2026) that it is stepping back from the build-to-rent market.
The application relates to the previously approved scheme at 2 Alexandria Road and sought a series of “minor material amendments” to plans granted permission following an appeal in 2025. The most significant change is an increase in housing, with the number of homes rising from 428 to 465 – an additional 37 units.
The development remains proposed as a build-to-rent scheme, although it is not yet clear who will deliver the housing following the John Lewis Partnership’s decision to withdraw from the sector.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Councillor Jon Ball, Ealing Lib Dems spokesperson on housing and development, said: “Residents’ relief at the news that the John Lewis Partnership had decided not to get into the build-to-rent business was short-lived as my questioning at planning committee revealed that JLP are going ahead with the tall towers scheme anyway but with a development partner who will construct it and take the flats on.”
He added: “The towers will be an eyesore and be totally out of character with the largely two- and three-storey houses in the area. I made clear at committee that I would have voted against the scheme if it had come to committee. I have asked officers for timescales for the development but they apparently have no information yet.”
Affordable housing would continue to make up 20% of the scheme by habitable rooms, increasing in overall number as a result of the uplift. This would be delivered through Discount Market Rent homes, with 30% offered at London Affordable Rent-equivalent levels and the remaining 70% at discounted market rents.
The housing mix is weighted towards smaller properties. Plans show 29 one-bedroom, one-person units and 162 one-bedroom, two-person homes. There would also be 41 two-bedroom, three-person homes and 189 two-bedroom, four-person homes. Larger homes form a smaller proportion, with four three-bedroom, five-person units and 40 three-bedroom, six-person homes.
The wider scheme would still deliver a mixed-use development including a replacement Waitrose supermarket, alongside commercial space and new homes, as part of wider regeneration plans for West Ealing town centre.
Other amendments include relocating the supermarket’s servicing yard to ground level, removing a planned ramp, and revising the internal layout of the store. Plans also include a second entrance, a repositioned café and changes to the building’s façade and landscaping.
Public areas would be reconfigured, including the creation of a new square and the consolidation of podium gardens to improve usability. Car parking for the store would increase slightly, though remain below existing levels.
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