A sheltered housing tenant has hit out at a decision by his landlord to ban Christmas decorations in the corridors of its premises.

Peter Gott said Housing 21, which runs Merlin Court, in South Street, Keighley, also gave him and his fellow residents nine days to remove their belongings from communal storage rooms. He said the measures were announced in a letter given to tenants on November 17.

“It’s upset everyone, there were a couple of people nearly in tears,” he said.

“It’ll be soulless in the corridors — the place is going to look like Stalag Luft. I think it’s appalling.”

He said he understood the changes were a fire safety precaution but argued that they were excessive, insensitive and unnecessary.

He said the letter explained tenants could not continue to display floral decorations or other ornaments in the corridors outside the doors to their flats.

He added, it states Christmas decorations would no longer be allowed in these areas.

Mr Gott, a 66-year-old retired prison service manager who has lived in Merlin Court for five years, said: “We were told we had to clear our possessions out of the storerooms by November 26 and that any items left there will be ‘disposed of’.”

On Tuesday he confirmed people had shifted their possessions out of the store rooms before the deadline.

He said: “I can kind of understand what the landlord’s intention is but this is health and safety gone mad.”

Jane Hinde, head of retirement housing for Housing 21, said: “We have a duty of care to all our tenants and their health and safety is of prime concern.

“We have to be mindful of fire safety and trip hazards, which is why we have requested the removal of items in the corridors and communal storage area.

“We certainly don’t wish to spoil our tenants’ enjoyment and I’m sure that we can work with them to find a satisfactory and safe solution.”