Ardmore wins £49m subcontract on scheme built by rival

Contractor Ardmore has won a £49m subcontract for a £120m scheme located at the former Paynes and Borthwick Wharves site in Greenwich being built by one of its chief rivals in the London residential market, United House.

The Assael Architects-designed scheme, which was originally being developed by Lane Castle, was a victim of the recession in 2008 when plans were put on hold. In November it emerged that developer JER had taken on the controversial 257-home project with United House with a plan to get the project finished by 2013.

However, Building understands that the consortium has decided to give Ardmore, the original contractor on the scheme before work stopped in 2008, work worth approximately £49m in order to reduce risk associated with changing contractor half way through the job. This is despite the fact Ardmore and United House are competitors in the residential market.

The Paynes and Borthwick scheme will comprise 203 residential units for private sale and 44 affordable homes that will be managed by Hexagon Housing Association.

Ardmore declined to comment on the story. A spokesperson for United House said: “United House has started work on the Paynes and Borthwick Wharves site as main contractor. We do not comment on the supply chain or sub-contracting arrangements on any of our sites.”