The owner of an Angus garage has said he will “chain himself to the floor” rather than comply with an Angus Council eviction notice.
Matthew Jack has been told he must leave Brechin Auto Repairs as Angus Council needs the land to build up flood defences.
He bought Brechin Auto Repairs four years ago and moved to its premises on East Mill Road a year later.
When he bought the site at auction he knew there was a possibility Angus Council would have to demolish a number of industrial plots to make room for flood defences.
Mr Jack claims he did not object to the plans as he was promised the council would pay him a fair price for the property, or find suitable alternative premises, if the flood defences were to go ahead.
He says, however, that the council has offered him far less than his garage is worth and alternative sites put forward are too small.
The council sent him an eviction notice on November 12 that gave him 14 days to vacate the property even although compensation had not been agreed.
Mr Jack is adamant he will not be moved.
He told The Courier: “I will chain myself to the floor rather than give them access. My surveyor put in a claim but they are only offering about 55% of what it is worth.
“They’ve started offering me alternative premises but they are too small. They’re just trying to make it cheaper for themselves.
“What they are trying to offer me is just not suitable”.
Mr Jack has written about his stand-off with Angus Council on Brechin Auto Repairs’ Facebook page and has received dozens of messages of support.
He has also written to new First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about the issue.
A council spokesperson said: “We have been in discussion with Mr Jack for some time and negotiations continue.
“Matthew Jack was, along with all other owners and occupiers directly affected by the Brechin Flood Prevention Scheme, served with a letter giving 14 days’ notice that, from December 1, we would beseeking entry on to the land in order to construct the flood scheme.
“Were entry to the land not be provided when required then the council would need to seek the authority of the court to require the owner or occupier to comply with exercising our power of entry.”