A FOREST man facing losing his home because it is unfit to live in claims that the council is not taking the situation of his disabled partner seriously – a claim denied by the Forest's homelessness team.
And Frank Gray (43), who lives at the threatened house in Rock Lane, Coleford, with his partner Veronica Checkley (31), also says council officials sent police to call on them to stop them putting their case to the council.
"The situation is desperate. Veronica has had arthritis for about 15 years and her asthma is very bad at the moment. She is wheezing badly and the state of things here and the worry don't help.
"Our home is privately rented but when a council officer saw it he more or less condemned it. We were told we must move out so I went to the council and they said they had a one-bedroom flat which wasn't at all suitable, or bed and breakfast accommodation.
"What we really need is a two-bedroom house in Coleford with level access so that she can get in and out by wheelchair – she cannot handle hills at all.
"But when I complained the flat was unsuitable I was told it was all there was, and I got quite angry and eventually walked out.
"But later we had a visit from the police, who said the homeless team had complained that I was harassing them."
Spokesman for the Forest of Dean District Council Mat Cooney said, however, that the couple's case was under review and they were investigating Veronica Checkley's needs.
"A council officer was sent to assess the house they are living in and found it wasn't statutorily unfit but there were health and safety worries with gas and electricity.
"But the matter isn't closed or decided and the couple's needs are under process of investigation."
And on the issue of the police call he said: "One of our officers was threatened. It is not uncommon for people to make complaints, but in this case a member of staff felt threatened and the details were passed on to the police."