The London Borough of Camden hopes to sign up a firm shortly to deliver 290 flats and homes in three phases over more than four years.

Several firms including Bouygues, Higgins, Rydon and Willmott Dixon tendered the job and according to sources Rydon is now in detailed talks with the council.

The first phase which could now start in the Autumn involves demolition of the existing District Housing Office and the commercial units on Vicars Road to build 63 homes.

Residents will then be moved from the existing blocks into the new build accommodation, allowing the buildings to be demolished to make way for a further 140 homes.

The final phase at the northern most end of the existing Bacton Low Rise estate will see 87 homes built.

The development will be expected to achieve Code of Sustainable Homes Code Level 4.