Plans to build a tunnel under the M4 as part of the Front Garden development must be put on hold, MP James Gray has demanded.

The Wiltshire North MP has called on the Deputy Prime Minister to personally step-in and effectively suspend the massive housing project.

In a letter to John Prescott the man in charge of national planning matters Mr Gray said it was absolutely crucial the tunnel blueprints be called in for official scrutiny.

That would mean an independent planning inspector launching an inquiry into the designs which could delay the project by years.

Mr Gray waded into the issue yesterday, having previously been silent on the Front Garden because it mainly effects Swindon.

He said: "I have no objection to the Front Garden development itself that is not in my constituency and not up to me. But I am alarmed about the impact of a tunnel.

"If it is built it could have a huge traffic impact on the surrounding area and local villages."

The Tory MP said a tunnel would also open up the Rural Buffer Zone, which currently separates Wootton Bassett, the Lydiards and Purton from westward expansion by Swindon.

With improved road access to the M4, the rural zone will become much more desirable to developers, he said.

Mr Gray was also angry he had been snubbed over an up-coming local public examination of the Wiltshire and Swin-don Structure Plan, which features the disputed tunnel.

He said he had asked officers if he could make representations to the hearing - only to be told he was not wanted.