Westfield London shopping centre can now start work on a £1billion expansion of new shops and 1,500 new homes.

The retail giant intends to extend the 1.6 million sq ft centre in White City by a further 800,000 sq ft of shops and leisure facilities in derelict land north of the site which includes the former White City Industrial Estate.

West London’s first John Lewis department store will be the extension’s flagship store, and employ around 600 staff.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s planning committee approved detailed plans last night (Apr 03), after giving outline planning consent in March 2012.

Westfield hopes to create three separate zones - a retail quarter centred around a new four-level John Lewis store, a residential quarter of homes in two to 23 storey blocks around a green square, and a public piazza around the existing Grade II-listed Dimco building.

Duncan Bower, director of development at Westfield, said: “We are delighted that councillors at Hammersmith and Fulham Council recognise the benefits our £1bn expansion will bring to White City, a very significant number of new employment opportunities, new housing and an even greater range of shops and leisure facilities, including a John Lewis department store. 

“The plans will provide a dynamic and attractive gateway to Shepherd’s Bush town centre in the White City Opportunity Area and is a great example of public-private partnerships working effectively to deliver beneficial regeneration.”

The development would overlook a new 3.7 acre park called White City Green behind White City and Wood Lane underground stations.

It would connect the Westfield site with the BBC Television redevelopment plans and proposals to build 1,500 homes in the adjacent former Dairy Crest site , which have already been given the go-ahead.

Westfield has been working with neighbouring developers - St James, Imperial, Stanhope and the BBC - to regenerate the White City Opportunity Area which could generate a total of 7,800 jobs and dramatically improve the local neighbourhood.

The shopping giant set up a Jobs and Training Panel in 2012 to ensure local people can benefit from all the new jobs.

Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith, said: “I support the investment and the jobs it will bring. Hopefully these jobs will go to local residents in need of work. Westfield was brought to the borough by Labour but the Tories - then in power - failed to give local residents any priority.

“It is shameful that the residential part of this scheme provides next to nothing for local residents in need of affordable housing.”

Westfield has already been granted consent to expand the head office of luxury online retailer Net-a-Porter and create a children’s entertainment centre, KidZania, to the eastern side of the mall.

Building is due to begin later this year, with new shops opening in time for Christmas 2017.