A MAJOR competition is being launched as part of the multi-billion pound transformation of key sites in the main Olympic borough.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales has joined forces with Mayor of London Boris Johnson and trade magazine Property Week to launch the competition. It aims to find temporary uses for two sites in the Royal Docks and a third in Canning Town in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The competition signals the start of the transformation of the Royal Docks where the London Development Agency with Newham are seeking developers for schemes worth up to �22 billion which will create more than 6,000 jobs. Canning Town is undergoing a �3.7 billion project to transform the area physically, socially and economically, including new leisure and retail facilities, up to 10,000 new homes, two town centres and a Crossrail Station.

The Royal Docks and Canning Town sit in the heart of the London Development Agency’s Green Enterprise District – which aims to exploit the potential from undeveloped plots of industrial land to attract new investment, create up to 6,000 new jobs and develop new low carbon skills by 2014. The Green Enterprise District is designed to position London as a global leader of the low carbon economy. The �30 million exhibition, research and conference centre planned by German technology firm Siemens will be its flagship project and will be complete by spring 2012.

Sir Robin said: “Nowhere else in the UK is undergoing transformation on the scale of Newham. London is moving east and there is huge potential here for investment, growth and greater prosperity. The Royals are where London’s future essential economic growth can truly thrive. The size of the opportunity is vast – it is a development area the size of Venice with 12 miles of dock and river edge.”

Boris Johnson said: “These key sites will become part of a major new thriving economic hub for the capital as well as a top class destination to live and work.

“This is great opportunity to start developing ideas and demonstrating the potential for this long-neglected part of London. Now is the perfect time to show the world just what the Royal Docks has to offer to businesses, entrepreneurs and visitors.”

The winners’ projects will occupy the sites up to, during, and possibly after the 2012 Games.

The three sites are all in prominent locations and are owned by the London Development Agency or the London Borough of Newham.

They are: Canning Town centre, Silvertown Way: This site will be cleared early in 2011 and sits south of Canning Town’s proposed new town centre (which it will form part of) on the east side of Silvertown Way.

Dockside at the Royals Business Park, Royal Albert Dock: A clear, grassy, dockside space between Royal Albert DLR station on the northern edge of the Royal Albert Dock, across the water from London City Airport terminal.

Pontoon Dock, Royal Victoria Dock: A dramatic setting on the southern edge of the Pontoon Dock which runs south of Royal Victoria Dock to the west of the Connaught Bridge. This site includes the water.

Proposals are particularly encouraged which attract people to the Royal Docks and Canning Town; transform the three sites into great temporary ‘destinations’; promote entrepreneurial activities; create jobs and opportunities for residents and young people; and reflect the ‘green enterprise’ ambitions of the Royal Docks. All entries must be submitted electronically to sitelife@propertyweek.com by January 24 next year.