Plans to build a hotel and car park opposite an upmarket Marlow health club have been submitted to the council.

Last year, Travelodge announced plans to build a hotel with associated car parking on a derelict site opposite The Marlow Club, in Fieldhouse Lane.

Thousands of people signed a petition against the construction of the budget hotel over concerns it would impact the future of businesses in Globe Park as well as parking in the area.

But council officials say it will help to create new jobs and boost the town’s economy.

The Marlow Club is also finalising its proposals for the development of a separate decked car park on the other half of the site, which it says will help alleviate the “lack of available parking” for businesses in the area.

If given the green light, Travelodge will build an 83-bed hotel with a bar and café, and its own 66-bay car park on one half of the site, to be opened by the end of 2018.

Tony O’Brien, UK development director at Travelodge, said: “We have identified a shortage of good quality budget accommodation in Marlow and are delighted to have submitted this exciting project for approval.

“The submission is the culmination of months of hard work in liaison with the council to deliver our element of the comprehensive redevelopment of this brownfield site.

“The day time parking issues are well known to us and we believe our hotel can sit happily alongside the neighbouring uses and provide a valuable and much needed facility for not only Globe Park businesses but visitors to the area from further afield.”

Soeaking about the separate decked car park Jon Williams, chief operating officer at The Marlow Club, said: “The lack of available parking is an issue for many businesses operating on Globe Park.

“Working in partnership with the council, we very much hope that this will help to alleviate some of those issues by creating a permanent parking solution.

“Plans are in the process of being finalised and we will be able to say more once our planning application has been submitted, all being well, by the end of August.”

Wycombe District Council, which owns the land, demolished an empty industrial building on the site last year and got planning permission for a 102-bay surface car park.

But planning officials said the surface car park would be “superseded” by The Marlow Club’s decked car park if it is given the green light.

Cllr Steve Broadbent, Wycombe District Council’s cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said: “This really would be a win-win for everyone – a new Travelodge creates new jobs and would provide additional rooms at an affordable rate to businesses and tourists looking to explore Marlow and the district.

“The decked car-park would help members of The Marlow Club and provide additional spaces to nearby businesses, which in turn will help to reduce the amount of vehicles parked on the roadside making it easier for people – in particular delivery drivers in large lorries – to navigate their way around the business park.

“This scheme is part of a bigger jigsaw puzzle to improve the business park, as we look to bring in investment and address some of the parking and congestion issues.”