Out-Law News 1 min. read
11 Sep 2014, 4:44 pm
The permission, granted on 5 September, will allow the construction of up to 1,347 homes and the expansion of shopping facilities to provide an additional 61,840 square metres of retail space including a new John Lewis department store. The plans also include restaurants and cafes, offices and community and leisure facilities.
The Council's planning committee resolved in April to grant permission for the plans, subject to the negotiation of a suitable planning agreement and the approval of the mayor of London. Mayor of London Boris Johnson gave his approval for the plans in May.
Councillor Stephen Cowan, leader of the Council said in a statement that Westfield had now committed in a planning agreement to provide £20 million of community investment alongside the scheme. "The plans will provide an attractive gateway to Shepherd's Bush town centre and the wider White City Opportunity Area, creating new jobs, housing including much needed affordable housing, and the £20m worth of community benefits agreed via the section 106 [agreement]," said Cowan."This is a great example of public-private partnerships working effectively to deliver beneficial regeneration."
"We are delighted that Hammersmith and Fulham Council has issued the planning permission for Westfield's £1bn expansion, which will deliver very significant community benefits in numerous ways to the borough and adjoining areas," said Westfield's director of development, Duncan Bower, in a statement.
"Westfield London has always aimed to be a positive force for change in the local area – whether that is through our direct financial contributions or physical delivery for community benefit, the significant job opportunities the centre provides, or the further inward investment that is attracted to the White City Opportunity Area," added Bower. "With the new rail extension - and in particular attracting John Lewis to W12 – we will continue to contribute to the ongoing rejuvenation of Shepherd's Bush and White City."
