John Lewis Partnership gains approval for BTR scheme in Reading

The John Lewis Partnership has received unanimous approval from the Council's Planning Committee for a build-to-rent (BTR) project in Reading, UK.

BTR Reading

Savills Central Planning has worked with JLP for several years to develop the energy-efficient BTR scheme on a brownfield site formerly used as a distribution centre. Of the 170 homes, 16% will be designated as affordable housing, mirroring the design and service of market-rate homes, with residents given priority. The apartments, offering one, two, and three-bedroom layouts, will be powered by air source heat pumps.
The £70 mln (€80 mln) project, in partnership with Aberdeen, will revitalize the underused site, providing homes, nearly 462 m2 of indoor amenities for fitness, remote work, and socializing, as well as landscaped communal gardens. Community space and garden access will be available for local groups. The project is set to achieve a biodiversity net gain of 328%, significantly surpassing the required 10%.
This decision is the third major achievement for JLP's expanding residential portfolio, following approvals in West Ealing and Bromley, both secured with the involvement of Savills.
Katherine Russell, director of Build-To-Rent at JLP, said: "This planning consent marks an important moment in our 70-year commitment to Reading and has been achieved through close collaboration with the local authority. We're pleased to have the opportunity to invest further in the community by helping to deliver much-needed new homes."
Anne Breen, global head of Real Estate at Aberdeen, commented: "John Lewis brings something quite different to build-to-rent - centrally located, money-can't-buy sites and a brand people know and trust, and a stand-out commitment to service that is already evident across the homes they manage."
Jon Sebbage, associate director, Savills Central Planning, added: "We are delighted to have been successful in securing this unanimous approval for JLP following extensive positive engagement with the local planning authority and close collaboration as part of the project team over a number of years. The consented scheme will provide much-needed sustainable homes, community space and garden areas, and deliver significant public benefits for local people in central Reading."