John Lewis reveals plans to turn former warehouse into homes for rent

The proposals, made to Reading Borough Council, would create 215 homes to rent on the property. It is the latest such scheme put forward by the Partnership, which owns grocer Waitrose as well as eponymous department stores, as it seeks to add new business streams such as housing to its core retail operations.

The Partnership said that the regeneration scheme would represent investment of approximately £80m and bring amenities such as garden space.

The Reading scheme follows a resolution to grant planning consent to transform a Waitrose property in Bromley, south London, and JLP is pursuing a further application in Ealing, west London.

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.”

The retailer said that the Reading homes would be “highly sustainable, using high-performance materials with renewable energy resources”, and the development would be car-free – other than the provision of accessible spaces – because of the location near the town centre and public transport.

If approved, construction is expected to start in early 2026.