Would YOU want to live in its shadow? Locals slam John Lewis’ plans to build 24-storey block of flats dubbed ‘Waitrose Tower’ above south London store

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Locals have slammed John Lewis’ plans to build a 24-storey block of flats dubbed ‘Waitrose Tower’ above a store in south London.

The retailer says the proposed building, on top of its Waitrose store in Masons Hill, Bromley, will deliver 353 new homes in a town centre location that will benefit local residents and businesses.

But more than 60 neighbours have lodged objections with the council, primarily over the size of the development. 

One submission from a resident said: ‘The proposed development is obscene. Grossly out of keeping with the town and setting a dreadful precedent for future schemes.

‘Other smaller developments further up Masons Hill are perfectly acceptable but the Waitrose Tower is not.’

Locals have slammed John Lewis’ plans to build a 24-storey block of flats dubbed ‘Waitrose Tower’ above a store in south London

The retailer says the proposed building, on top of its Waitrose store in Masons Hill, Bromley, will deliver 353 new homes in a town centre location that will benefit local residents and businesses

Others said it would ‘blight’ the town centre and see everything around it ‘dwarfed’, while one claimed: ‘We do not want a Croydon in Bromley.’

Another said the tower would overlook their property and therefore ‘affects my privacy’.

Furthermore, the council’s conservation officer has claimed  the ‘proposal is overly large and tall and will therefore have a negative harmful’ on views in the area. 

However there have also been 24 formal comments of support for the plans.

One backer wrote: ‘I am in favour of this proposed development – I cannot believe that other local residents are against this, quite frankly what planet are they living on?

‘This scheme should proceed, to ensure that additional flats are built in the centre of Bromley, on a brownfield site as well, so the objectors will have nothing reasonable to complain about.’

John Lewis experts argue the design and make-up of the proposal means it would not ‘loom’ over its surroundings and is reportedly in talks with the council and the Greater London Authority over grant funding that could increase the proportion of affordable housing to 35 per cent.

A spokesman for the retailer told the Evening Standard: ‘We believe there’s an opportunity to make better use of a town centre, brownfield site to deliver more for the community, which we have been part of for 27 years.

‘By transforming the site we can deliver much-needed energy efficient rental homes as well as communal spaces, play areas, a new Waitrose store and create new jobs. 

‘We’re continuing to respond to the comments received as part of the planning process.’

MailOnline has approached John Lewis and Bromley Council for further comment. 

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