John Lewis wants tax breaks for developers such as itself, in a position to start building immediately.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Katherine Russell – director of build-to-rent at the John Lewis Partnership – says Chancellor Rachel Reeves “should look at tax incentives… where a developer commits to building right away.” 

She says this would help the industry meet the government’s own targets of 1.5m new build homes over five years.

The partnership claims “most people accept the drastic need for new housing” but “many good schemes… still continue to be refused.” 

Russell says “cutting red tape” would speed up investment in new housing, as would spending the billions of pounds worth of unused development levies.

Last week the partnership received the green light to transform its Waitrose site in Bromley into a new Build To Rent scheme of 353 homes. It was a milestone for the company, which has been trying to get permission to develop housing for years as it seeks to diversify.