People living close to the site at St Austell claim nearby roads are already too busy and that any development will make problems worse.

Critics also say that the development should take place in the town centre to encourage the regeneration of St Austell.

Restormel councillors are being advised to back the scheme, which the company behind the development, Imerys, says is necessary because the area needs further business accommodation.

It will create jobs. What we don't want to do is create accidents Alan Godfrey, Treverbyn Parish Council

The land earmarked for the business park at Carclaze Downs is described as the gateway to St Austell.

It is a prominent site near the Eden Project, with spectacular sea views.

But nearby resident Barbara Wyper says the roads are already too busy and will get worse if it is built.

She said: "There's a dense volume of traffic - more so in the summer.

"For children who walk along there, and when I cycle along there, we take our lives in our hands."

Scheme withdrawn

A number of parish councillors are also opposed to the business park saying there is no safe route to school for children from Penwithick, Bugle and Stenalees.

Alan Godfrey, from Treverbyn Parish Council, said: "Yes, it will create jobs. What we don't want to do is create accidents. We need to have a safe route."

Earlier plans for a business park and a hotel on the site prompted protest demonstrations by local people. Imerys subsequently withdrew the scheme.

The company says it now wants to press on with the business park first.

Green travel

Spokesman Ivor Bowditch said: "The site has been identified in the Local Plan as a brownfield site.

"St Austell still desperately needs space for the development of key high-tech jobs, and we need to consider the move necessary to accommodate the growing commercial aspects of the town."

But local people say both the business park and, in time, the hotel should be built in the town centre to encourage people to use shops and other facilities.

Restormel District Council's planning officers are advising councillors to support the scheme, but say a green travel plan should by drawn up to limit the amount of traffic.