Westfield's $1.5b UK expansion plans boosted with White City approval

Retail giant Westfield Group has received approval from the Hammersmith and Fulham councils for a $1.48 billion redevelopment and expansion of its complex at White City, London.

The approval relates to a 18.5 hectare site to the north of the existing Westfield London Shopping Centre which generated £960m in sales in 2011. It includes an extension to the existing shopping centre with the addition of new restaurants, cafes and a leisure complex.

According to the

Australian Financial Review

, the 17-year project will incorporate 1,522 homes in buildings ranging from four to 12 storeys high and feature a 20 storey iconic building. A public green space and commercial offices are also proposed.

The approval comes as Westfield sells down interests in their smaller UK operations such as Westfield Belfast, Guildford and Tunbridge Wells to focus on their larger centres in London and Stratford.