Residents of a sheltered retirement home are furious the council is "more concerned" about removing a communal seating area than about a stroke victim not found for five days.

On Thursday, January 6 one of the residents of Pelly Court Sheltered Housing in Epping - who will not be named for privacy reasons - had a stroke.

It was not until four days later that Charles Rycroft noticed his absence after he knocked on the man's door in a bid to pick him up for a crib tournament, only to receive no reply.

The 66-year-old left to attend the event before urging a member of staff to check on the resident the following day.

According to Mr Rycroft the absent crib player had signed a form which stopped wardens from regularly checking up on him, as they do with most others living in Pelly Court.

"The warden reluctantly went and checked on him," Mr Rycroft explained.

"He found him lying on the floor. Now he's in Queen's Hospital.

"He is obviously suffering from dehydration and life changing illness.

"Luckily he is still alive."

The former mini-bus driver, who now volunteers at Epping Forest Community Transport, believes it should not be up to residents to chose whether or not they opt out of regular check ups.

With the stroke sufferer in hospital and very much in the minds of those living in Pelly Court, an untimely argument then erupted between residents and the council.

Eight months ago Mr Rycroft and others decided to put some tables and chairs out on the concrete path at the front of the home, with the newly built communal area proving a popular place for people to while away the summer hours.

The tranquil zone quickly became under threat however, when those in charge of the Epping Forest District Council run home deemed it a fire and anti-social behaviour risk.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Mr Rycroft added: "I have been told it is a fire risk because you can't get a fire engine in there, but you can't get one in anyway.

"Then they said it would attract anti-social behaviour.

"The council seem more concerned about taking away our tables and chairs than about his welfare."

A spokesperson for the district council addressed the communal table issue while sending their thoughts to the stroke sufferer.

They said: “We wish the gentleman well an hope for a speedy recovery.

“We would like to discuss this case in more detail but we also have a duty to respect the right to privacy of all our tenants. We take the safety and well being of all our tenants very seriously.

"Residents of our sheltered housing schemes have a 24 hour careline emergency alarm system in their properties. Onsite scheme managers are available Monday to Friday and call in on the tenants daily. However, some residents choose to opt out of this service.

“Residents at Pelly Court have been written to regarding the outside garden furniture. We have expressed our concerns and asked that arrangements be made for the items to be removed. It is also stated in tenancy agreements that communal areas must be kept clear from obstruction.”