Frustrated residents in Sands want more homes, not large warehouses, a councillor has said – days before controversial plans to expand an industrial estate close to a school are considered.

Cllr Darren Hayday says those living in the area already have “enough problems” with HGVs coming and going into the industrial units next to Millbrook School – and fears plans to redevelop land owned by Verco Office Furniture to include four new blocks will make the situation dangerous for children and parents.

If the plans – which will go before Wycombe District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday night – are given the green light, the “underused and partly vacant” site will be brought back into use in a bid to attract new businesses to the area, the applicants say.

However, residents living nearby have criticised the plans for the “overbearing” and “out of character” new factories – and have raised concerns about traffic on Mill End Road and Chapel Lane, which neighbour the site.

Cllr Hayday says residents would prefer to see more affordable housing built in the area instead of more industrial units – and fears the dangers extra HGVs will bring to the area.

He said: “Wycombe District Council’s planning department is trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with regards to this application.

“The residents want homes built here and not large warehouses what would have 24/7 constant access in a highly populated residential area.

“At the moment we have enough problems with HGVs coming and going to the current units and right next to Millbrook School which is growing. The entrance/exit is right near to the school - how can this planning application even be legal or moral?

“I am looking to tackle the high speeds that vehicles drive past this area - as well as the soon coming HS2 construction traffic which will also add potential danger and traffic flow in this area.

“This reminds me of the very bad plans for the Booker Sports Stadium. Surely the councillors on this committee should turn this one down.”

Residents living in nearby Penmoor Close are also rallying against the plans, saying there will be a “danger to public health” due to extra pollution from more HGVs in the area.

They added that the planned factories will be “totally overbearing” on neighbouring homes and would be dangerous for pedestrians, including children and the elderly.

The application has been submitted by Ridgepoint Homes, William Vere Properties, Verco Office Furniture, Derek William Stevens Vere and Barnett Waddingham Trustees.

The applicants insisted the plan to redevelop the vacant site into “more modern and flexible industrial units will to meet the needs of varied businesses attracting a new and diverse range of local and national occupiers into this area”.

They said: “The development is designed to comply with local planning policies and the building will be contemporary in design that will regenerate this part of the Council’s Employment Area and generate significant new employment opportunities for this area of High Wycombe.”