Sharjah developer Arada will be investing up to £325 million ($427.7 million) on its latest major acquisition in the UK, and is planning to add 10,000 homes to its UAE pipeline amid an aggressive expansion strategy, its chief executive has said.

Arada acquired an 80 per cent stake in the £2.5 billion Thameside West waterfront development in London's Royal Docks, it said on Monday – its second acquisition in the UK after entering the market less than two months ago.

Funding for developing the land – which was acquired from private developer Keystone – will come from a mix of Arada's equity and banks, Ahmed Alkhoshaibi told The National.

"The land acquisition is going to cost £225 million, mainly covered from the company's equity, then there'll probably be another £100 million worth of additional funding coming from the UAE," he said in an interview.

"Most likely we will fund the entire project by using local or international banks ... we have plenty of options, but we'll decide at that time what is the best option."

The 47-acre (190,200-square-metre) Thameside West is a riverside neighbourhood at the western end of the Royal Docks. It is still in the planning stages, with construction slated to begin in 2027.

At least 5,000 homes are planned to be built, with the first 1,000 expected to be delivered in its first phase. Plans are also being drawn up for schools, shops, spaces for creative industries and two new riverside parks, according to the Royal Docks website.

Arada's latest move follows its acquisition of a 75 per cent stake in UK-based mixed-use developer Regal in September, with an initial commitment of Dh2.5 b