Construction work has began on a £450m project to build a new Sainsbury's store, housing and business space.

Sainsbury's, Barratt London and L&Q have joined forces to create 737 new homes on the Nine Elms regeneration site, including 92 social units.

There will also be a huge 80,000 sq ft Sainsbury's store as well as 27,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants and office space.

The development is the latest scheme on the Nine Elms regeneration site to begin construction, with the project now in full swing.

Work began last year on building the new US Embassy and reworking of Battersea Power Station, while the Riverlight flats are almost complete.

The new Sainsbury's store will create more than 300 new jobs.

There will also be an Explore Learning Centre housed within the store offering Maths and English tuition for children aged five to 14-years-old.

A temporary Sainsbury's store will be trading next to the site while the new store is being built.

Jamie Cowen, head of mixed use development at Sainsbury's, said: "The Nine Elms area of London has been identified for one of the biggest regeneration schemes in Europe, with the potential for thousands of new homes and many more businesses.

"We’ve been trading from this site for 30 years and our plans will complete the wider regeneration and create a better shopping experience as well as building space for other shops, businesses and much needed housing in the area."

Helen Fisher, programme director of Nine Elms, said: "Nine Elms on the South Bank is transforming at a rapid pace and we are thrilled to be able to add Sainsbury’s, with partners Barratt and L&Q, to the list of partners now actively regenerating the area. 

"With some 30,000 new residents due to move into the area, the new improved store will be an addition that’s especially welcomed."