Contractors Ardmore Construction, Galliford Try and Wates have been shortlisted to build the first residential plot in the 2012 athletes鈥� village

The announcement from developer Lend Lease knocks Bouygues and Barratt East London, which are also understood to have submitted tenders, out of the running for the 300-apartment scheme. A decision on the winning bidder is expected at the end of July.

Bids for the project are understood to have come in lower than expected. Rob Johnson, the village project director for Lend Lease, said: 鈥淟end Lease and the Olympic Delivery Authority are pleased at the level of competitiveness and interest shown in the tender process. We look forward to working with the contractors to finalise an arrangement that will deliver the high quality outcome we are after.鈥�

Construction package opportunities for further phases are due to be announced over the next few months.

The news comes a week after the government announced that the 拢1bn athletes鈥� village would be funded entirely by the public purse after a finance deal with Lend Lease was rejected.

Lend Lease remains development and project manager for the scheme.