A CHRONICALLY ill wheelchair-bound pensioner is trapped in his home of 30 years after council planners dismissed a proposed access ramp as an ‘eyesore’, it was claimed today.

OAP Joseph Crawford — who has vascular dementia as well as a host of other crippling ailments — has been left devastated by the decision, with no immediate solution to his ‘house arrest’ woes in sight.

The 65-year-old’s wife, Martha, told the Telegraph: “We’re both at our wits end with all of this. It’s been going on for such a long time.

“We’re trapped in here. We need four people just to get Joseph in and out of the house and you just can’t have them on hand all of the time, whenever you need them.” Martha, 64, told how landlord River Clyde Homes has tried to find the couple alternative accommodation since the planning knockback, but an occupational therapist has ruled out a move.

She said: “We’re both just distraught. I had to give Joseph extra medication on Saturday because of the stress and he’s already on a lot of pills because he has many illnesses.

“The council refused the ramp because they basically said that it would be an eyesore.” She told how Joseph has had a triple heart bypass and — as well as the dementia — suffers mini strokes which are eroding his brain cells every time they strike. He’s also diabetic, has high blood pressure and his eyesight is failing.

Local authority bosses who examined the Crawfords’ application for a galvanised steel access incline ruled that it would be a ‘strident feature to the detriment of the character and amenity of the area’ around the couple’s home in Grosvenor Lane.

Planners cited the position, size and material finish of the proposed front garden structure as part of their reason for refusing permission.

Case officer David Ashman said: “I note the ramp is intended for disabled use to provide easier access to the residence but it is important to strike a balance with visial impact.” He suggested the alternative solution of a chairlift access — but it is understood that this has not been progressed.

Mr Ashman, writing in an official council report on the matter, said: “The applicant’s agent has requested that the application (for a ramp) be considered as submitted.” Poorly Joseph’s vascular dementia is the most common type of the condition after Alzheimer’s disease and is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.

Martha said: “The mini strokes are also killing his brain cells every time they happen.

“He used two walking sticks to get around a wee bit before, but now he just can’t do that at all.

“We were promised that there was money for a ramp, and funding is still there, but nothing else has happened.

“He’s already trapped within his own body but not being able to get out at all is like a house arrest.” Martha added: “The housing association asked us if we would be prepared to move into a place at John Gault House and we accepted that.

“We were really happy about it because it was a great place.

“But the occupational therapist inspected it and said no to a chair lift because Joseph would have to be hoisted on to it.

“That’s just knocked the feet away from us again.” Jane Wallace, ExtraCare manager at River Clyde Homes, said: “We continue to work with the family to look at their housing options in an effort to resolve the access difficulties they are experiencing.”