Representatives from the Teddington Society are to meet the owners of an office block this week to discuss plans for a new hotel on the site.

Travelodge has applied to Richmond Council to turn Park House, in Station Road, into a new 113-room hotel with a bar for guests.

The plan would see the seven-storey office block remodelled and a nearby production studio replaced by a four-storey building with a restaurant, which includes a space for outside dining, and offices.

The plan has drawn a mixed reaction, with the Teddington business community welcoming it but many residents fearful of parking and traffic problems.

Douglas Barrell, convenor of the planning group of the Teddington Society, admitted views were also mixed within the group but a meeting had been arranged for Friday with the the owners of Park House. It is also hoped Travelodge representatives will attend to discuss the scheme.

Mr Barrell said: “In principle, we are not opposed to a hotel, it’s better to have something that an empty building.

“We are going to talk about how the hotel can fit in Teddington - there are benefits to shops, restuarants and to tidy the building up but car parking is an issue - Travelodge policy is not to charge for car parking, hopefully guests will use their car park.”

Hugh Gauntlett, a director of The BA Partnership, developer of the proposed Travelodge, said he knew residents were concerned about parking but his firm’s transport analysis had shown there would be less traffic in the area than there is now.

Mr Gauntlett added: “A travel plan has been prepared which aims to reduce car travel by a further 10 per cent over the first five years of the development.

“As no charge is to be made for parking, we consider that there is no risk of any increased pressure upon free street parking due to the hotel.”