Plans to build a huge Costco warehouse in High Wycombe were given the green light by councillors last night – despite concerns over the impact it could have on traffic in the area.

At least 250 jobs will be created after Wycombe District Council's planning committee backed plans to build the cash and carry at the site of the former park and ride in Crest Road.

Plans for the warehouse, which will have a 586 space car park, have been in the pipeline since 2015 after the wholesale giant bought the land from the council, subject to planning permission.

High Wycombe Resident, Ron Symington, aired concerns the neighbouring roads would not be able to facilitate the influx of traffic, and urged the council to conduct its own traffic survey before the site reaches “gridlock”.

He said: “When the Next retail outlet was being considered I went to the consultation and was told the road junctions were already over capacity and it's now much worse since Next was built.

“However documents with this application conveniently show the junctions are under capacity and the development would have little or no impact on traffic congestion.”

Ward member for Booker and Cressex, Councillor Brian Pearce, criticised the “cheap” road construction, fearing busy roads alongside the neighbouring YMCA centre could be dangerous for young people.

He said: “We are not against the Costco, when I say "we" that is local residents I have spoken to. What we feel is Costco are trying to do this on the cheap as much as the road construction.

“There is a figure that 600 cars a day would use the access. The YMCA has a nursery, 150 residents, plus visitors, plus guests.

“Now you can imagine the general clientele at the YMCA is young people under the age of 30, that live in their own little dream world, and I have seen them wandering around using their mobile telephones, and having a very busy access right on their doorstep is a particularly good idea.”

However planning officer, Robert Harrison, assured councillors in-depth research had been conducted into the impact the new store will have on the roads, factoring in developments put forward in the Local Plan.

He said: “In terms of network capacity and the proposals that are being put forward to mitigate harm, we would be very hard pushed to have an objection on that basis.”

He also added the area had “never been envisioned for housing” after the High Wycombe Society questioned why the land was not being used for homes.

Costco representative, James Cheesemore, added: “In terms of the principle of the development our retail impact tests and sequential tests have been audited by consultants for the local authority and confirmed the proposal is acceptable.

“A Costco would bring significant benefits to the local economy and provide an important function serving business in the area. The proposals will provide a wide range of high quality well paid jobs for local people. We estimate at least 250 new jobs would be generated by the proposal.”