The creation of more than 200 jobs is set to be announced at a new waterfront complex in north Wales.

A �45m leisure project will be unveiled at the new Deganwy Quay site opposite Conwy marina.

Managers hope that, by the year 2003, the development near Llandudno Junction will become a holiday resort for the whole year.

There are plans for 71 homes, costing from almost �150,000 to �500,000, and Lifetime Projects, which is building the site, said more than half of the properties had already been reserved.

New jobs

Half of those had been bought by local people and a five-star hotel will grace the complex.

Some of the new jobs will be temporary construction posts for workers to build the complex.

The site is currently derelict land opposite Conwy marina.

Ground work will start at the end of August and a 226-berth marina is due for completion by next year's sailing season.

Completion date

The resort is expected to be completed by 2003, close to Conwy's 500-berth facility.

The news that local people have snapped up the homes will come as a fillip to campaigners who fear people are being priced out of their own communities in Wales.

But the beach at Deganwy failed to comply with EU minimum water quality thresholds, according to a report from the Marine Conservation Society in May.

Nearby Penrhyn Bay also missed out on the standard.