Plans to build a new hotel on the site of a thriving industrial estate have sparked concerns over the future of small community businesses and parking in Marlow.

International hotel chain Travelodge has been in talks with Wycombe District Council since January last year about expanding its business in to the town.

And now worried managers at the Marlow Club on Globe Business Park say if the council owned land opposite the gym is chosen as a prime spot for the hotel it would make the current parking situation completely unsustainable.

The Travelodge could bring more than 200 new cars to the site on Fieldhouse Lane each day clogging up the already busy roads potentially forcing the health club to completely relocate according to concerned members.

Long-standing member, Steve Baker, said on behalf of the club: “There has been a health and leisure centre serving Marlow from this location for 40 years, and we are extremely concerned that if the Travelodge plans go ahead on this site, members will have very real problems accessing the club.

“This could have a dramatic impact on membership and the worst case scenario could see The Marlow Club needing to relocate.”

The budget chain, which has more 500 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, wrote to Wycombe District Council last year to seek approval to build a hotel on council land.

This followed a previous plan with Wycombe District Council to build a Travelodge at Computer House, near Marlow Station, fell through.

However residents are still sceptical about the proposals and residents on Dedmere Road and Newtown Road fear the increased number of cars would make it more of a struggle to park on the busy roads, particularly during demolition and construction periods.

The Marlow Club has even offered to rent the site - which it believes WDC is offering to lease at commercial rates – and develop a vacant warehouse into a pilates and yoga studio.

Mr Baker continued: “This would safeguard continued parking facilities, keeping cars off the roadside, which would be a much better solution for Globe Park and local residents.”

Wycombe District Council are unable to comment on the plans.