During the next 10 years the council is planning to build around 3,500 new homes for local people, in one of the most ambitious local authority home building programmes in the country.

Market consultation to explore technical and commercial approaches with providers will start at Cannes property show MIPIM. It will also involve other soft market testing events to be organised by the Council.

It plans to appoint a preferred partner by the end of this year targeting a dozen sites initially.

Demolition notices have already been issued to over 900 homes.

Deputy Leader of Havering Council and Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Damian White, said: “The issuing of Demolition Notices is a formal process the Council must do but it does not mean bulldozers will be moving in next week.

“Indeed we don’t expect work to start on any of the Housing Regeneration Programme sites until 2018 but these notices must be served now so tenants know what is happening and to suspend any further Right to Buy applications on the estates which will be regenerated.”