A DERELICT car park on Liverpool’s waterfront could be replaced with a hotel.

Travelodge has submitted plans to convert the site, near The Strand’s junction with James Street, into 10-storey accommodation.

The chain wants to build a 141-bedroom hotel next to the former Cooper’s Emporium, a notorious city centre eyesore.

Travelodge said the new hotel would add £1.5m to the city’s economy each year and create 38 new jobs.

If the scheme gets planning permission, bosses hope to open in 2011.

Last night, city centre councillor Nick Small said he supported the plan.

He added: "I think it is good news.

"It is a good location for a hotel and the best of luck to them.

"It is a key site and it is probably best if we want to get new hotels in the city that we keep them away from where residents are living.

"It will bring people into Liverpool One and I do not see any problem with it."

The Manchester-based architect for the scheme – Leach Rhodes Walker – believes the current site makes little contribution to Liverpool’s historic World Heritage site.

Its planning application stated it aims to "continue the development of high- quality buildings in Liverpool city centre".