A Stonehaven man whose home was almost engulfed following a landslip at the Bervie Braes is furious the slopes behind his property will not be stabilised as part of a £3million scheme.
The Press and Journal revealed yesterday that a funding package had been agreed, with the Scottish Government contributing £2million to a £3million scheme.
The other £1million will come from Aberdeenshire Council.
But Richard Barnes, who lives with his partner, Noel McDonnell, at Invercarron Cottage — the former Stonehaven tollhouse — said what had happened to his house had been the “catalyst for the remedial work”.
More than 100 tonnes of mud and debris slid towards his C-listed home on February 25.
Mr Barnes said he had contacted Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns area manager Willie Munro to find out if his house — “the worst affected” — would be included the funding scheme and been told probably not.
“Prior to Finance Secretary John Swinney coming up, Willie Munro contacted me and asked if they could have a photo opportunity at my house,” he said.
“I don’t see why my house should be the catalyst for funding and I get nothing at all.”
He added that the slopes at the back of his property were “deteriorating” and interior walls had begun to crack under the strain.
He believes that he and his partner will not be able to return home for more than six months.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We appreciate the concerns Mr Barnes has and understand that the recent movement at Bervie Braes has caused him considerable distress.
“The area surrounding Mr Barnes’s property was not in the original options laid out to secure the slope.
“We are sympathetic to Mr Barnes’s situation and we will provide technical advice if required.”
Neither the council nor the Scottish Government has direct responsibility for the land.
Mr Barnes also said looters had broken into his shed at the rear of his house, stealing a leaf-blower and a strimmer. “It’s insult to injury,” he said.