Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, has approved plans to extend Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherds Bush and build more than 1,300 homes.
The £1billion scheme will be anchored by a John Lewis department store, the first in West London. The development will also include restaurants and cafes, office space, a children’s play space and a new leisure complex. It is expected that the expansion will create around 6,700 permanent new jobs.
Developer, Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd will build 1,347 homes. 162 of these homes will be affordable homes, 40 per cent of which will be social rented. This number could increase subject to viability assessments.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson approved the scheme yesterday (Thursday, May 29). He said: “Westfield has had a transformational impact on Shepherds Bush and White City, kickstarting widespread social and economic regeneration. This expansion will create thousands of much-needed new homes and jobs and ensure that the area remains one of West London’s leading shopping destinations for many years to come.”
The 230,000 sq ft John Lewis store will operate over four floors, creating approximately 600 new jobs.
Tim Harrison, head of format development at John Lewis said "This is very positive news. We look forward to bringing our offer closer to customers in West London. We will continue to work closely with Westfield during the next design stage and towards delivery of the shop for 2017."
The development sits within the White City Opportunity Area – one of more than 30 areas designated by the Mayor with significant capacity for new housing, commercial and other development.
The Opportunity Area seeks to build on White City’s heritage in creative, media and entertainment industries. Other elements include the redevelopment of the former BBC Television Centre in Wood Lane and a new campus for Imperial College, Imperial West. In total, there is capacity for 5,000 homes and 10,000 jobs.
Source: Greater London Authority www.london.gov.uk May 30, 2014