Westfield's White City regeneration proposals approved

The scheme will see the construction of up to 1,347 new homes across a number of buildings, including a 25-storey tower block, as well as 61,840 square metres of retail space, which will include a John Lewis department store. The plans for the 7.64 hectare site also comprises restaurants, cafes, offices and community and leisure facilities.

The proposals replace an outline application for the area, which the Council granted consent to in March 2012, comprising 1,522 homes as well as shops, restaurants, office and leisure space.

The Council's planning officers said in the committee report that the development would enhance the built environment within that part of the White City Opportunity Area and enable the delivery of "much needed" housing. "It would be a high quality development which would sit well beside the proposals being brought forward in the wider area," the report said.

“We are delighted that councillors at Hammersmith and Fulham Council recognised the benefits that our £1bn expansion will bring to White City; in the form of 7,800 jobs, new housing and an even greater range of shops and leisure facilities, including the first John Lewis in west London,” said Westfield director of development Duncan Bower in a statement.

Construction on the scheme is expected to start next year. The retail element is expected to open around Christmas in 2017 following which the residential element will be delivered in phases.