Architect Richard Rogers is to draw up a revised masterplan for the Wembley complex in north-west London.
The original plan for the 18 ha of brownfield land surrounding the proposed national stadium involved the demolition of Wembley Arena and a conference centre on the site. These were to be replaced by a large retail complex. The £500m plan that supersedes it will retain these buildings and include the construction of mid-sized towers.

The latest development follows Wembley Plc's sale of the land this week to Quintain Estates for £48m. The new owner has reappointed Rogers with a brief to retain these elements because of their profitability.

Quintain director Nick Shattock said: "We would hope to put some height in the scheme. We anticipate some dense development."

The land has been identified as an "opportunity zone" by London mayor Ken Livingstone. He expects at least 2500 houses to be built and 5000 jobs to be created in the area.

To accommodate this, Rogers will design several residential and office towers of at least 20 storeys. About half of the land is currently derelict.

Shattock added that a planning application would not be submitted to Brent council for at least 12 months. He said: "There is a lot of consultation work to be done with Brent and the London Development Agency."

Quintain will also talk to contractor Multiplex about how the scheme fits in with plans for the national stadium and the associated infrastructure development.

There are plans for Wembley Park Tube station to be redeveloped to cope with up to 50,000 passengers an hour.

Two months ago Quintain and Lend Lease completed a deal with the government to develop the Greenwich peninsula in south-east London, the site of the Millennium Dome.

A planning application that will include a plan to turn the dome into a sports arena and a Terry Farrell masterplan for 7000 homes will be submitted to Greenwich council in October.