A WORRIED pensioner says a housing association’s plan to evict him could jeopardise his health.

Patrick Sullivan lives in Maplewell House, a block of flats in Stonesfield owned by Cottsway Housing Association.

The association wants to knock down the property, which includes 10 flats for elderly and disabled people, to build four affordable homes.

It said the current building was “substandard” and added it was working with residents to find them new homes.

But Mr Sullivan, who has lived there since 2002, said the eviction could cause him more health problems.

The 88-year-old said: “A move like that is too daunting for words.

“I’ve already got a defibrillator for my heart, which has gone off twice since I’ve had it. I’m on a knife edge all the time.

“If it happens again it means immediate hospitalisation.”

Mr Sullivan has heart palpitations and the defibrillator, which he has had for three years, helps stabilise his heart beat.

He said his GP told him stress could make the problems worse.

Mr Sullivan added: “Everybody is upset about being pushed around like stray dogs by Cottsway.

“They are looking after themselves far more than they are looking after us. They don’t care.”

And he said the association had kept him and the other residents in the dark about the plans.

He said: “I don’t think anyone knows what is happening. It is completely up in the air.

“We have all got to be out by the end of this year, but there’s no specific date.”

Cottsway Housing Association said the work was needed.

Spokesman Dee Hempstead said: “It is substandard accommodation.

“We’ve had problems reletting the properties and the decision was made to redevelop the site.

“But there is no timescale put on it and there is still no immediate pressure for anyone to go.

“We are not forcing them out to somewhere they do not want to go, we are working with them to find something suitable.

“But it is not going to be an option for the building to stay open forever. We have to be realistic.”

She said the residents had been kept informed since the project started 18 months ago, and the head of housing met them last month.

West Oxfordshire District Council granted planning permission for the development last month.