Cornwall Coliseum would be demolished as part of the plans

The project, earmarked for Carlyon Bay near St Austell, includes restaurants, a hotel, a leisure complex and 500 apartments.

People living nearby say they fear local roads will become gridlocked by a huge increase in traffic.

Ampersand chief executive Johnny Sandelson faced his critics at a meeting at the site on Tuesday night.

We are trying to discourage people when they come to this development from using their own private car Johnny Sandelson, chief executive Ampersand

He was speaking to local people at the end of a two-day exhibition to outline his plans.

The company said 1,500 people visited the exhibition, some to get information about the apartments for sale.

Others were keen to know more about employment opportunities at the site.

But some, like Bill Bellamy, expressed concerns over possible traffic problems.

"I live just up the road and, like many people, I am concerned about traffic impact," he said

The developers are investigating opening up a little-used access road and Mr Sandelson expressed the hope that visitors would make good use of public transport.

"I can't deny that transport is important," he said.

"Let's have special resort buses going on a hourly basis to Eden and Heligan and to the main commercial centres.

Open 'forever'

"We are trying to discourage people when they come to this development from using their own private car."

Others attending the meeting were concerned that the beach would be closed to the public.

But Mr Sandelson sought to reassure people, telling the meeting it would remain open to the public "forever more".