PLANS for a leisure and housing development on the River Lee Navigation in Waltham Cross are expected to be unveiled early next year.

Owner of the site, British Waterways has confirmed they are engaged in ongoing talks with a prospective purchaser of the Hazelmere Marina site, off Station Road.

Although no further details are yet being revealed by British Waterways, the largely derelict riverside area has long been earmarked for development and Broxbourne Council completed its own “preferred vision” for the site – including a hotel, restaurants and housing – a year ago.

Officers have informed councillors that they are expecting to receive a planning application early in 2012.

Potential obstacles remain, however, including the frosty reception from neighbouring Epping Forest Council.

Responding to early consultation by Broxbourne Council, while welcoming more housing at the site, which is on the outskirts of Waltham Abbey, they regard the hotel, restaurants and shops as a “threat” to the town centre.

The Epping Forest also anticipate disruption to traffic in Station Road during the redevelopment – the main cross-border route into both Waltham Abbey and Epping Forest district for visitors from Broxbourne borough.

The development also has to take place around the existing Jewson store in Lea Road, which holds a long-term lease on the site.

Broxbourne Council hope to implement a “phased” development with the Jewson store making way for redevelopment when the lease expires.

As the site lies opposite the Lee Valley White Water Centre, talks are also underway between Broxbourne Council and British Waterways for improvements to both the marina and Jewson while the Olympic canoe slalom events are running at the end of July and beginning of August next year.

The area surrounding the white water centre will be “dressed” with London 2012-branded banners and decorations to welcome spectators in time for the arrival of the torch relay on Saturday July 7.