Ref. 30986-99HEALTH service chiefs are scheduled to hold talks with Swindon MP Julia Drown today amid fears Front Garden development plans could harm the health of future residents.

Campaigners, headed by the Front Garden Action Group, have sounded alarm bells over the massive housing project.

They are concerned that heavy natural dampness in the wetland area could spell trouble for residents' health if homes are built there.

According to some research, dampness can increase the risk of asthma.

There are also reported links between mould-infected homes and strokes, heart attacks, respiratory illnesses and excessive tiredness.

Ms Drown said that she had already written to ministers asking how much of a say

health officials should be allowed on planning matters.

If the project did create problems, the burden would fall on Swindon's front-line health services, run by the Primary Care Trust.

Ms Drown said: "On balance it might not be as good to put homes on wetland as other areas.

"With modern building technology I'm fairly confident homes can be properly damp proofed.

"But I want to make sure we are fully taking health implications into account before any houses are built."

The South Swindon MP said she would quiz PCT managers to see if they shared concerns about

dampness.

The Front Garden development is set to include 4,500 houses and more than twice as many people by the time it is complete.

It also includes four schools and several shopping areas.

A 764-acre plot of land alongside the M4 has been earmarked for the building project.

The bulldozers will be moving onto the site after the final hurdle in the controversial plan to build on it was cleared.

Protesters marched to the centre of Swindon to urge the council not to build on the greenfield site but after seven years of debate, protest, argument and counter-argument, Swindon Council's decision to allow building to go ahead has been upheld.