Main construction work is set to begin early next year on the 1,750-home Lombard Square development in Plumstead being delivered with Peabody.

And Berkeley has agreed the first set of deals on site preparation work with JB Riney & Co set to work on highways works, McCauliffe Site Services on temporary electrics and Tagg Construction on site hoardings

The scheme is located on the vacant site near Plumstead Station in the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area. It is centred around a new biodiverse park and play space which will almost equal the size of two Wembley Stadium football pitches, and create new natural habitats with green corridors.

Karl Whiteman, Divisional Managing Director for Berkeley East Thames, said: “It will be a real driver of change for Plumstead and Thamesmead.

“We’re taking unused and long vacant land and delivering homes, employment, retail and leisure opportunities alongside a stunning new biodiverse park which can be enjoyed by the whole community – something we hope everyone will be proud of and benefit from.

“Berkeley has had the privilege of working in The Royal Borough of Greenwich for over two decades and we remain committed to taking derelict, unloved land and turning it into exceptional spaces which improve the lives of those who live and work on and near to it.”

The Lombard Square site was once home to Arsenal Football Club, with the Manor Ground hosting Arsenal’s first ever Football League match in 1893. It was the club’s home ground for 20 years before they moved to Highbury in Islington.

The site has been in industrial use for several decades and has been vacant and unused since 2016.