Westfield is consulting local people about its plans to expand onto neighbouring land and create 2,500 new jobs, 1,700 new homes, new stores and restaurants and a public green.

Details of the plans, which were first revealed in February in a report by the shopping centre's Australian parent company the Westfield Group, will be shown to local residents at a series of public meetings in July.

The group hopes that the £1 billion extension will bring new stores, cafes and restaurants, including a new John Lewis department store. This says Duncan Bower, director of development and asset management at Westfield, will create more than 2,500 permanent jobs for local people.

An entire new street is planned on the Ariel Way site to the north of the centre, leading to the new White City Green opposite the soon to be vacated Television Centre. The green will be a similar size to Hammersmith's Brook Green.

Duncan Bower says: "This project will form a pivotal link between White City and Shepherd’s Bush.

"The proposals will help to transform the area into a pedestrianised quarter from where people will have clear and attractive walking routes both east to west to the Kensington and Chelsea and north to south with the wider Opportunity Area.

"We believe our plans represent an exciting new chapter for the area and will continue the regeneration of the area that is already underway."

The public can view Westfield's new plans at Westfield, next to the Habitat store, on Friday July 8 between 2pm and 8pm and on Saturday July 9 and between 11am and 5pm.

In addition, they will be on show at Shepherd’s Bush Village Hall in Bulwer Street on Monday July 11 between 12pm and 6pm.

June 30, 2011