Barking and Dagenham Council is expected to become the first authority in the country to work out a brand new funding deal, known as Local Housing Comapny's (LHC).

LHCs are a new way of building new council houses, involving agreements between local authorities and private sector developers.

Barking and Dagenham's two LHCs - Barking Riverside LHC and Barking and Dagenham LHC - are expected, between them, to deliver a massive 8,000 affordable homes within 20 years. 

Barking and Dagenham LHC will be the first to deliver its 4,000-property share of homes by redeveloping the recently cleared Lintons site in Barking Town Centre. 

More than five hundred new homes will be built on the land - which was occupied by three decaying 1960s tower blocks until the start of this year - as well as an enterprise centre to encourage new local businesses. 

The council is currently in the final stage of negotiations with a major contractor, and hopes to make a firm announcement by the end of May. If successful, builders could start work as soon as June.