AMBITIOUS plans to redevelop an area of derelict Docklands have been given the green light.

Ballymore has been granted permission to start work on a 10-acre site at the Leamouth Peninsula, opposite The O2.

The proposal is to build in stages, but it is expected there be 1,700 new homes, offices and ‘creative workplaces’ in place within five years.

It will be contained in 13 buildings ranging from three to 27 storeys in height.

There are also plans for new education, leisure and sports facilities, a public park and crucially a bridge link to nearby Canning Town station.

“Now we have got the green light, we will be cracking on immediately and expect to be marketing this site in the autumn,” said Ballymore owner Sean Mulryan. “I guarantee it will be a really exciting place to live and work.”

Permission to start building work was granted last week by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation after its officers praised it for opening up a “unique waterside location”.

Tower Hamlets Council called for it to be rejected after doubts over the financing of the project and lack of infrastructure.

The site was formerly occupied by the Pura Foods oil processing plant, which relocated to a new facility in Essex in 2005. The previous buildings have now been demolished and the site cleared.

As the nearest neighbours, Trinity Buoy Wharf has plenty of interest in the decision to grant approval.

The arts centre and home to London’s only lighthouse is already thriving, but having hundreds of people move next door can’t hurt.

“We’re very positive about it as it will bring more life to this part of London,” said site project manager John Burton. “Improvements like the Canning Town bridge and 24-hour bus will be vital and this is definitely a good thing.”