PLP has been asked to work up detailed designs for Westferry Printworks despite planning consent being quashed after housing secretary Robert Jenrick admitted his decision could have appeared biased.

Northern & Shell, the lottery and property company owned by former tabloid publisher Richard Desmond, said in its annual accounts this month it was confident the infamous 1,500-home scheme would finally win approval before the end of the year.

As a result it said it was taking the financial risk of ploughing ahead with detailed design in order to “lose as little time as possible in the development and sales programme” of the £1bn east London project.

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