Old Hill residents say they feel intimidated by a man living in a double decker bus.
They say that the London bus, which has been parked on Glasney Road for the past six weeks, is a health and safety hazard.
The vehicle's owner, a self-described gypsy, says that he feels "imprisoned" in his council house having grown up in caravans.
Neil Wainwright said: "I want to live in my wagon, I don't want to live in a house. Five years I have been imprisoned in a house."
Mr Wainwright (pictured) says he feels "imprisoned" living in a house
He powers tools and a radio with an extension cable running through his letterbox and suspended over the road by a makeshift system of pulleys and planks of wood.
Neighbour Vanessa Avery said: "Potentially someone could get electric shock off that and get killed."
But Mr Wainwright insists that the system is safe.
Technicians from Western Power visited the bus and a company spokesperson told the Packet they "do not have the authority to remove this connection" as it runs into Mr Wainwright's property and is not illegal.
The windows on the bus's upper deck are curtained off
Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have been contacted for comment.
The vehicle is fully insured and taxed and Mr Wainwright plans to obtain a bus driver's licence so he can transport it legally (neighbours say it was delivered to the road).
Although the Packet spoke with two neighbours who said that they have never had issues with Mr Wainwright, others were more concerned.
Mr Wainwright insists the system is safe
One resident who did not want to be named said: "He rants and raves quite loudly with not the nicest words you can think of. I don't want to get on the wrong side of him."
They added: "Since it's been here I have made a point of not going out any more."
Mr Wainwright told the Packet that he suffers from several mental illnesses.
Mr Wainwright is fixing up the bus with plans to live in it permanently
He said: "I get angry all the time but I have had 30 years of sh*t," and he claims that Cornwall Council promised he could live on a traveller's site before housing him in various properties over the years.
Another resident, a retiree who also did not want to be named, said: "How much longer is it going to be there? It's taking up parking spaces and has certainly slowed traffic down.
"We're all on edge really."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel