The multi-billion-pound redevelopment of Silvertown Quays in east London has been given the go-ahead.

Newham Council, which gave permission to the Silvertown Partnership, says the £3.5bn scheme will create up to 20,700 jobs and 3,000 homes, including affordable housing.

The 10-year project will regenerate a 62-acre site in the Royal Docks, including the renovation of the historic Millennium Mills factory (pictured below) that was once home to food manufacturer Rank Hovis MacDougall and has been out of use since the 1980s.

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It is hoped that once complete Silvertown will attract around 13 million visitors a year, providing a £33 million annual boost to the local economy and adding around £260m to the overall London economy.

Offices, leisure and retail facilities will be built across the site, along with a school.

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: “This multi-billion pound transformation is a fantastic opportunity to reinvigorate the Royal Docks area giving it a new lease of life benefiting Newham and the capital as a whole.

“Our vision is to transform the area into a world-class business centre that not just entices established companies but also creates an exciting and vibrant place for new companies to grow and flourish.”

The Silvertown application will now be referred to the Mayor of London and then to the secretaries of state for communities and transport for a final decision.