Tensions continue to run high over plans to close an Oxford City Council sheltered housing block in Risinghurst.

Rowlands House - home to 15 vulnerable council tenants - is too costly to refurbish and maintain and will close.

But the city council, faced with a multi-million-pound bill to bring the home up to scratch, is also facing strong criticism from residents.

And at a meeting about the closure last week, one member of the public was so abusive to a council officer the police had to be called.

In a report tabled before the council's decision-making executive last month, Rowlands House was described as unfit for purpose.

A structural survey has revealed "significant subsidence" and there is no lift to the first floor.

Also, the property does not meet the Government's decent homes standard - the minimum standard all council houses have to adhere to by 2010.

For those reasons, council officers think the best bet is to sell the land for some form of commercial housing development. The council said all tenants would be rehoused.

A council spokesman said: "The executive board recently approved that we would dispose of Rowlands House.

"We have contacted all residents who live at the house to make them aware of the situation. We will now talk to them on an individual basis to discuss their personal arrangements.

"Prior to a meeting last week a member of the public was abusive to a member of the housing team staff - and we have reported this matter to the police."

Oxford police spokesman Toby Shergold confirmed officers had attended after a council officer was verbally assaulted, but left after the situation dissipated.

Mr Shergold said no further action would be taken.

Quarry & Risinghurst city councillor Tia MacGregor said: "I hope officers will be working to make sure all tenants understand why Rowlands House is closing and to assure them they will be rehoused according to their needs."

The situation broadly mirrors that of Abbey Place in Oxford city centre.

There vulnerable tenants are likely to be evicted from their council flats later this year as the sheltered housing block is demolished to make way for a revamped Westgate Centre. Severely disabled Vincent McKeown - who can only communicate by blinking - is still seeking a High Court review of the way the council has treated its tenants in Abbey Place.