Moray Council has spent almost £10,000 clearing up a “dumping ground” at an Elgin beauty spot.
The local authority has been locked in a battle with Patrick Thirkell over the state of the Old Mills for more than a decade.
Mounds of rubbish and broken household appliances litter the woodland.
However Mr Thirkell is yet to clear it up.
In November planners finally lost patience with him and he was ordered him to dispose of the rubbish before yesterday (MON).
But despite him appealing to the Scottish Government and it being thrown out, his property remains a cluttered mess.
Last night as the deadline set upon him passed, it emerged more than £8,000 had been spent on enforcement action to get rid of rubbish strewn across the grounds.
And it is likely to cost a further £1,000 to tidy the site again.
Yesterday the former RAF man admitted parts of the woodland, which contains a mill dating back to the 13th century, remained “a mess” with rubble, broken glass and suitcases left in thick grass.
However, he insisted piles of wood and scrap metal were necessary to complete a mental health project involving polytunnels.
Mr Thirkell said he had already cleared most of the items the council has ordered him to get rid of – except for a caravan and plastic containers kept in a barn that was ruined by fire.
The 62-year-old explained that any items officials were not happy with would be moved to a different part of the 10-acre site, where he has planning permission for the polytunnel scheme.
And he vowed to never give in to a “gang of bullies” he believes is intending to destroy his dream.
But Elgin City South councillor John Divers said the eyesore has been left near the banks of the River Lossie for too long.
He said: “I believe in giving everybody a chance but this guy has had several chances before going back to his old ways of using it as a dumping ground.
“It’s in a very picturesque part of Elgin and it’s disappointing that the person who owns it hasn’t been able to get an acceptable use for it up and running.
“As everyone knows, the council’s not in a great position financially. Having to take action like this just puts it in an even more difficult position.”
Figures released by Moray Council under freedom of information show the authority spent £4163.61 clearing the Old Mills in 2009 and 2012 – Mr Thirkell, who lives in Hopeman, later paid the council back.
However, authority officials have also spent £3896.37 on legal bills for the operations, which has not been recovered.
The Scottish Government’s six-week deadline to comply with Moray Council’s most recent order was granted after Mr Thirkell’s appeal against the action was thrown out.
The former search and rescue officer has started putting up 115ft polytunnels to grow fruit and vegetables inside. The project is intended to create a slice of summer in the winter for those suffering seasonal affective disorder.
Mr Thirkell said: “I need to check with the council to see if they’re happy with it. If they’re not then I’m happy to do it myself. There’s no point fighting them – they’ve got all the money and lots of lawyers.
“Some of the stuff the council has asked me to get rid of is ridiculous though. They want me to move some of the broken old mill machinery – it’s been here for 250 years. Why would you want to get rid of that?”
A Moray Council spokeswoman said: “If the site isn’t cleared before the amenity notice compliance period runs out, there are other options open to the council, including direct action. All options will be considered.”
