Dons legend Willie Miller has become embroiled in a row with neighbours over parking outside his rental property.
The Gothenburg Great appeared before Aberdeen City Council’s licensing committee yesterday to renew his House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence for a property on Woodlands Walk in Cults.
Five objections were lodged, with residents who live near the five-bedroom, three-storey townhouse arguing the number of tenants had caused safety issued in the street.
Catherine Murray-George and Nicole Gillanders, who live near to property, told the committee the tenants’ vehicles took up too much space in the quiet cul-de-sac and posed a risk to children playing outside.
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To strengthen their case, the pair – along with three other Woodlands Walk residents – submitted photographs of cars parked along the driveway of the property and the nearby turning areas.
But during the debate, it emerged the photographs had been staged – and did not all belong to Mr Miller’s tenants.
The footballing great accused the neighbours of creating “fake news” and he said he was staggered by their attempts to thwart his licence.
Mr Miller, who told the committee he had been a landlord since 2006, said everyone who stays in the townhouse are “respectful and responsible individuals” and noted that nothing had been reported to the police.
He added: “I’m staggered by the fact that these photos have been staged.
“It is just another example of fake news.”
The committee voted in favour of allowing the HMO licence to renew by six votes to three.
Afterwards, Ms Murray-George said the only reason the photographs had been set up was because the group had been running out of time to submit photographs of the actual obstructive vehicles.
She said: “Some of the councillors completely missed the issue once we mentioned that the photographs we sent in on that occasion were staged. We were clearly trying to show that this was how the situation is on a daily basis.
“We had to take these pictures in order to submit the paperwork before the deadline.
“Our concerns for the safety of children here is not fake news. It’s meant to be a safe street.”
The residents say they plan to “regroup and think about their next move” following the committee’s decision.
