A housing developer has apologised to a Dundee landowner after mistakenly digging up his path and car park.
Hector McKay is at loggerheads with Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland over a new pavement on Mains Loan.
Construction staff preparing the former Keiller Factory site for 223 homes dug up the pavement outside family business Hectyre, before encroaching on to its car park.
A furious Hector, 71, says he could only stop them going further by parking his car where the diggers were advancing.
Hector said: “I own the land but my son’s tyre business sits on the site.
“Over the last two weeks work started over the installation of a new pavement.
“I still own the pavement on this side of road as part of my title deeds.
“It stretches from the lamppost near Lammerton Terrace right down to the junction with Clepington Road.
“As they edged closer to business they took a section of Hectyre’s car park.
“We told the workforce I own the pavement but they didn’t believe me – firmly believing the council owned it.
“I think they thought they were just going to steamroller through without objection.”
Developer forced to apologise for digging up Hectyre’s car park
The housing firm has now apologised and said the damage will be repaired.
A spokesperson said: “We held a meeting with Mr McKay last week to discuss the works at Mains Loan and our teams are now working to bring a small area of land beside the development back to its original state.
“We will liaise with Mr McKay as we work to resolve this issue quickly and efficiently, and apologise for the inconvenience caused to him.”
However, the pensioner says the apology is “too little too late”.
He said: “I told them it’s not their ground, I told them it’s nothing to do with them.
“They just went ahead anyway.
“It’s like moving into your garden – I’ll take half your garden but apologise to you.”
He added the company has yet to repair the section of his car park that was dug up.
Sales hub site danger fears
Hector has also raised concerns about a planned sales hub for the new homes, to be built near the entrance of Hectyre and Tay Taxis.
He fears the proposed site of the hub could reduce visibility of pedestrians as drivers pull out.
He said: “I’ve spoken with the road and transport team [at Dundee City Council] about this new hub.
“My issue is about the proximity of the hub near both the premises, it’s right on the pavement edge.
“Motorists’ views will be restricted as they look left beyond the sales hub.”
The council did not respond to a request for comment.
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