Berkeley and Peabody are transforming 17 acres of unused land in South East London which were once home to Arsenal Football Club.

Vital Energi has bagged the £13m design and build contract for the site’s Energy Centre and ground source heat pumps across all eight blocks containing 1,750 apartments.

The ground source heat pumps will extract water from aquifers below the surface via 140m deep boreholes.

All risers and laterals will be installed within each block and Vital Energi will complete the design and build of the buried district heating network.

Rob Callaghan, Managing Director of Vital Energi’s London & Southern division, said: “We are looking forward to working on the design and build project in collaboration with Berkeley and Peabody, to build a more sustainable and green community, whilst helping them to reach their net zero target by 2030.”

Karl Whiteman, Divisional Managing Director for Berkeley East Thames, said: “Together with our partner Peabody, we believe Lombard Square will be a real driver of change for Plumstead and Thamesmead.

“In addition to delivering new homes, it will offer employment retail and leisure opportunities alongside a new stunning biodiverse park that can be enjoyed by the whole community – – something we hope everyone will be proud of and benefit from.”

Vital Energi will start on site in August.