A £50m build to rent scheme in east London is facing a major rebuild after construction defects were discovered.

Building work on the blocks at Axe Street in Barking started in 2020 and was due to finish in 2022 but stalled near the completion phase.

Original developer Lindhill employed main contractor Shapoorji Pallonji UK Ltd to build the 170 apartment scheme on the site of the former Abbey Sports Centre.

The UK offshoot of the Mumbai, India based Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Pvt. Ltd was hoping to use the Barking job as a springboard to win more work in this country.

But Companies House records show Shapoorji Pallonji UK Ltd went into liquidation in September 2023 with less than £5,000 in the bank.

The project was acquired shortly after work started by Aberdeen Standard Investments – now trading as Aberdeen.

An Aberdeen spokesperson said: “Aberdeen is working closely with our delivery partners to progress the necessary works and ensure the scheme is completed to the highest standard.”

The Enquirer understands that bids are currently out for major remedial work including a £4m package to replace brickwork on the scheme.

One specialist said: “It’s unbelievable how this sort of thing can still happen.

“Work must have been overseen by dozens of professionals on a job that size and yet it still seems to have gone so wrong.”