TRADERS have welcomed ambitious new plans to revamp Waltham Abbey's run-down high street.

The Di Piazza family has applied for planning permission to refurbish their derelict shops in Sun Street, to create two new retail units at the rear of the site looking onto Darby Drive, and to build nine residential one and two bedroom apartments above the site.

The former clothes store at number 8 has been left abandoned for several years, the neighbouring charity shop at number 6 closed last year, and local businesses and politicians have long complained it creates a bad impression for visitors to the town centre.

Howard Green, managing director of the property management firm employed by the Di Piazza family, said the development would increase footfall and could even attract a major retailer to the town.

He said: "We are hoping that this will go through the planning process quickly and that we can get the first tenants in there by the end of the year.

"This is definitely what the town needs and I think if you were to ask any of the traders on Sun Street they will welcome what has been proposed."

Darren Barthram, 35, the owner of Oddjobs Hardware, which is next door to the empty shops, said: "It has been like that since I moved here five years ago, and at the moment it is just a sitting target for vandals.

"So this can only be a good thing. Most of my customers are in their 70s or 80s, so I would hope the new flats would bring some younger people here because I think the area really needs some new blood."

Julie Hopwood, who works at Abbey Fruits, said: "At the moment it is just a derelict shop so this would definitely be an improvement."

Another Sun Street trader, who wished to remain anonymous, added: "I think this will be great. These shops are the first thing people see when they come into the town centre and at the moment they are just an eyesore. So I think this could be the shot in the arm local traders need."