Green light for 2012 canoe centre

Plans for the White Water Canoe Centre for the 2012 Olympics have been granted planning permission last night by Broxbourne Borough Council.

The plans will now be passed to the Government Office for the East of England to secure further planning approval.

The centre will be built by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. During the Olympics, the venue will host the canoe and kayak slalom events and will be developed into a sporting and leisure facility for canoeing and white water rafting after the Games.

The centre will be owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Venue plans include an Olympic standard 300m canoe and kayak slalom course, parklands and a building containing a reception, cafe, changing rooms, shops, offices and spectator viewing facilities.

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: “Securing planning approval is a significant milestone and keeps us firmly on-track to deliver the new world-class facilities at Broxbourne in good time for the Games. Our plans for Broxbourne are a key part of spreading the benefits of the Games around the country and will help us create a major leisure attraction for Broxbourne and the East of England region for many years to come.”