A High Wycombe business wants to expand and build four new industrial units – but residents living nearby fear more “congestion and parking chaos” on an already busy main road.

Land owned by Verco Office Furniture in Sands could be redeveloped with existing buildings demolished and four new blocks created in a bid to attract new businesses to the area.

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

Objecting to the plans, Donna Fitzpatrick, who lives in Sandsdown Close, said there is already “significant congestion” at peak times on Chapel Lane.

She wrote: “The additional traffic generated by this development, will be detrimental to the local area, especially with the increased pressures on the A4010 during the HS2 development.

“The additional traffic and lack of any additional parking on Mill End Lane, will severely impact on the safety of children, staff and parents visiting the busy and popular Millbrook School.”

Alison Irwin, who lives on Mill End Road, said noise disturbance – particularly during the night – will be a “major issues” if 24/7 working goes ahead at the industrial site.

She wrote: “The amount of HGV traffic in Mill End Road is already at a dangerous level. Continuous deliveries to Grant & Stone especially, cause congestion and parking chaos outside Millbrook School and the entrance to our drive.

“Pavements are blocked and access/visibility is reduced along Mill End Road up to and including the entrance to the proposed development.

“The prospect of more HGVs manoeuvring to and from the new yard and the additional air pollution, inconvenience and damage to the road and pavements as a result is extremely worrying and a safety issue for the local community. Night time deliveries would also be a nuisance to the neighbourhood.”

Angry residents gathered at Sands Village Hall on Friday night to share their concerns.

Objecting to Wycombe District Council, Gavin Styles added: “The additional HGVs will call the safety of local residents and Mill End School into question. There is a pub at the bottom of the road which is very busy, particularly when Wycombe are playing at home which creates further problems.”

The application – which has been submitted by Ridgepoint Homes, William Vere Properties, Verco Office Furniture, Derek William Stevens Vere and Barnett Waddingham Trustees – is being considered by Wycombe District Council.

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.”