Construction was due to start on site early this year after O’Rourke was lined-up as main contractor and planning permission was granted in September.

But now the job is being retendered despite O’Rourke putting in a lot of pre-construction work.

O’Rourke was planning to make extensive use of offsite construction techniques and modular components from its factory in Derbyshire.

The contractor had even posted up a video on YouTube  containing BIM images ahead of a site start at Whitechapel detailing how the scheme would utilise offsite techniques.

The video was suddenly taken down after the Enquirer started asking questions about the project.

Now L&Q has gone back out to the market for an alternative builder.

The developer confirmed to the Enquirer that O’Rourke was no longer main contractor but declined to discuss a revised timetable.

One rival firm said: “We were all a bit surprised because the job was O’Rourke’s.

“These things are more often than not a dispute over the contract price and build costs.

“It’s a nice looking job so there won’t be a shortage of interested firms.”

The Whitechapel central scheme has been designed by architect Stockwool and is set to transform the former Safestore facility into a new urban quarter, with nearly 30% of the site dedicated to new public realm.

The scheme includes a large proportion of family homes alongside 38,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Laing O’Rourke declined to comment.