BUSINESS leaders are backing proposals for a new hotel on the edge of Marlow.

It was revealed last week that negotiations are underway for the sale of old sewage works land, east of Marlow bypass.

Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce has said it supports the idea of a new hotel, though it would prefer the hotel to be closer to the town centre.

Land owners Pelhamcrest Ltd confirmed that an un-named hotel chain is interested in buying the 3.7 hectare site and building a 150-bed hotel.

The sewage works closed more than eight years ago and the derelict land has been earmarked by Wycombe District Council as a possible site for a hotel in the Local Plan.

The council said the firm would meet little objection to the principle of building there because of a demand for more overnight accommodation.

Colin Berks, spokesman for the chamber of trade, said: "Marlow badly needs a mid-priced hotel suitable for business and tourists. We would prefer to see a hotel on a site more suitably located for the bypass and the town."

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