Three housing sites have been formerly handed over to developers to start construction on 300 new homes in East London by the Regent’s Canal.

The sites in Stepney and Limehouse were transferred from Tower Hamlets Council to a consortium of East Thames Housing and Bellway Homes.

The largest is for 240 homes, from one-bedroom flats to five-bedroom family maisonettes, including 116 being sold on the open market and the rest available through ‘affordable rent’ and shared ownership.

“Buying a home on the open market in inner London is out of reach for many people,” said East Thames development manager Neil Baron. “But we’ll be offering affordable rent and shared ownership to make sure these homes are available.”

The transfers are also providing funds for landscape refurbishment on Stepney’s huge Ocean Estate nearby.