The Qatari ruling family is considering terminating its business partnership with Candy & Candy, the luxury designers, on the £1bn development of Chelsea Barracks.

The Middle Eastern investors have told Nick and Christian Candy that they want to take full control of the 13-acre development in central London they bought jointly in 2007 in one of Britain’s most expensive property deals. The Qataris plan to buy the brothers’ stake from them and retain them only as marketing managers and interior designers.

A source close to the Qataris said: 'This development is very complicated and particularly sensitive. It is an important investment [for the Qataris] both in terms of money and reputation and they want to take full control of it.'

Sunday Telegraph