VILLAGERS who are fighting off plans to tear down a forest to build a quarry are to hear from a high profile health researcher and campaigner into chronic illness associated with major sources of pollution.

VILLAGERS who are fighting off plans to tear down a forest to build a quarry are to hear from a high profile health researcher and campaigner into chronic illness associated with major sources of pollution.

Dr Dick Van Steenis, a retired GP turned activist, will tell the residents of Fritton, near Great Yarmouth, his concerns over plans to build a mineral extraction in Waveney Forest - also knows as Fritton Woods.

On Tuesday night Dr Van Steenis will tell a public meeting that setting up the quarry could cause dust to cover a three mile radius leading to asthma.

He will also tell villagers that there are concerns that the local water supply could be contaminated.

The woodland site at Fritton was among more than 100 being considered by Norfolk County Council as a potential quarry site, triggering a flurry of local campaigns, including one at nearby Haddiscoe.

However just as villagers appeared to have won the fight over the quarry plans, a new application was submitted for a smaller site closer to homes with some access changes from a Kent-based aggregates company at the tail end of last year.

Parish council chairman Keith Nunn said: “Villagers have been very concerned about the effect of dust and particulates on the health of nearby residents having heard warnings of asthma triggers and other bronchial troubles.

“Dr Van Steenis is an internationally known and respected researcher and campaigner into deaths and chronic illness surrounding major sources of pollution in this country and abroad and has a wonderful record of success at public inquiries.”