The Enquirer understands McLaren and Mace are going head-to-head for the £400m job for developer GLP – formerly known as Gazeley.

Work will transform an eight hectare site on North Woolwich Road into a major data centre across three buildings up to 65 metres in height providing 160,000sqm of floor space, and 6,000sqm of offices.

Parts of the site have been derelict for more than 20 years and the developer has gone through an extensive planning and public consultation process.

A source close to the planning process said: “Hopefully work will start on site this year and it seems the tender race is now down to two players with Mace and McLaren left in the mix.”