A cherished community swimming centre will close its doors for the final time today amid a huge debate between divers and developers.

The Waltham Forest Pool and Track which has been the centre for diving, swimming and athletics for over four decades will be pulled to the ground in the next few months and replaced with a £23m state of the art facility.

However, divers and parents alike were stunned when they were told the 5m diving board will not be included in the new designs – yet a new spa and BMX site will.

Campaigners, politicians and Olympic athletes fought against owners GLL and Waltham Forest Council until the designs were eventually rejected by the planning committee for loss of amenity.

However, a period of silence has ensued with local stakeholders being angered about being ‘left in the dark’ over whether or not the high board facilities will remain.

Ian Capes has led the campaign.

He said: “From the correspondence I have seen it looks as though the chief executive of the council and councillor Khan (portfolio holder for leisure) are in discussions with GLL.

“We hope they are going to reinstate the diving tower and board as per the London Plan.

“Whilst we have not been consulted we hope they will include us and reassure us things are going in the right direction.”

Jonathon Fox has travelled 25 miles to dive at the facility in Chingford Road every Sunday for more than 20 years.

He said: “I feel that it is essential that all of the stakeholders like myself who have been diving in Waltham Forest for over 20 years are consulted as plans move forward.

“We want a £20m plus facility we can be proud of and a legacy we can celebrate rather than the fiasco we have seen over the last year.”

Mo Allen, 45, from Chingford is a regular diver and has also taken his three teenage children to learn the sport.

He has complained to the ombudsman.

He said: “I was absolutely gutted. It was a really sad moment walking out of the last public dive not knowing if we will get the facilities back.

“I complained to the ombudsman about the lack of consultation and publicity about the re-build. They have sent a letter to the council.”

The athletics track was refurbished last year.

The council has been asked to comment.