Berkeley Group subsidiary St William is preparing the massive clean-up operation across the derelict east London site ahead of the first homes getting underway.

The hybrid masterplan was called in by City Hall in April after Newham Council approved the first phase last year.

Mayoral approval now gives St William the green light to progress proposals for thousands of flats alongside a five-acre riverside park, 5,000 sq m of mixed-use space and a new DLR station.

The first phase will include buildings rising to 15 storeys.

St William will also carry out a comprehensive package of remediation and enabling works needed to bring the heavily contaminated former gasworks land back into use.

Initial works will cover around 30 acres of land which has lain derelict since gas production ended in the 1960s.

Berkeley is expected to invest around £250m in site preparation, infrastructure and remediation before the wider residential development can move forward.

The scheme has faced scrutiny because its initial affordable housing provision is around 8% and development will also result in the loss of protected habitat.

Construction could start in 2028, with the first homes expected to complete from 2030.

Dean Summers, managing director of St James & St William, said: “This marks a significant step forward for this complex, long-term regeneration site.”