The wife of a Bristol man who suffers form a chronic lung disease says plans to build new homes behind their Bristol bungalow would effectively hand him a death sentence.

Linda King, aged 61, whose husband Richard suffers from emphysema said she fears proposals to build the 22 houses could send him to an early grave.

After two bouts of pneumonia Mr King, 51, needs a constant supply of oxygen from tanks kept at his home in Ponting Close, next to Roegate House in Speedwell.

As well as fears for the noise, disruption and the effect on their view, Mrs King said the dust from building work could be enough to kill her husband.

She said: "We have to keep the house well ventilated because of the oxygen tanks, we usually have the windows and door open to keep the air fresh.

"Dust getting on his lungs will kill him. We've had a letter from the council to say dust would be kept to a minimum with damping down in the summer but they won't be able to stop everything.

"We feel like we're being shut in, there will be houses right at the end of our garden, we'll lose all the natural light but the main thing is Richard's health. I've been awake at 3am most nights worrying about it. Why should he be given a death sentence?"

The couple have lived in the council-owned bungalow, in a quiet residential close, for three years.

Their neighbours, a small community of 15, are mainly elderly. Mrs King said the application to build on the green space in the grounds of Roegate House in Whitefield Avenue, submitted by Sovereign Housing Group, has shocked and outraged the residents as well as those in nearby Speedwell Road.

The Kings say the original plan was for a 'garage strategy project' to redevelop run-down garages. They attended a public consultation last year but since then plans have developed into building houses as well as improvements to Roegate House which include landscaping, fencing and an access ramp.

Mrs King has been collecting signatures opposing the scheme and has 147 people on a list which she will submit to a planning committee. She said: "Since we've moved here Richard's health has been so much better, but if the building work is approved it'll be hell here. We're the lost little 12 bungalows, but we aren't moving and we'll fight all the way. We've got people of all ages and businesses nearby who are appalled at the plans."

Mr King, a former painter and decorator, has been ill for the past six years.

He said: "They're swallowing up every piece of green land there is, we can't keep the windows and doors shut but we can't let the dust in either. The building will take at least two years it'll be a nightmare."

The Kings said they have been told by a solicitor they have a strong case but do not qualify for legal aid. They are hoping that the strength of public opposition will help to stop the work. A date for the application to go to a committee meeting has not yet been set.

Sovereign Housing Group spokesman Chris Irons said: "We're aware from previous consultations between ourselves, the council and local residents that there is a resident within Ponting Close who suffers from a particular health condition.

"We are therefore aware of the need to minimise dust from the redevelopment, and should we obtain planning consent then we will be working closely with our partner contractor and local residents to resolve this.

"The construction industry acknowledges that many of its operations create dust and, where necessary, methods of dust prevention and suppression will be agreed with the appropriate authorities in advance of works commencing."