A DUNFERMLINE pensioner has lambasted Fife Council after they stopped maintaining land behind his back garden after 30 years.

Harry Slaughter, 85, was stunned to discover they'd stopped cutting the grass behind his home on Abington Road after discovering they didn't own the land. 

Fife Council informed him that their maintenance of the area, which has spanned three decades, had been a mistake. 

“I think it’s a disgrace,” Harry said. “To think they have done it for 30 years and to now turn around and say it’s not their problem, to me, is unbelievable.

“They say that they’ve just made a mistake? That doesn’t hold water as far as I’m concerned.

“If you’ve taken responsibility for something for that long, you can’t just stop without consulting any of the local people it will have an affect on."

Harry added: "I feel Fife Council could and should inform people in the area and organise a meeting so everyone can have their say.

"I know a number of residents have raised concerns about this matter.

“They should have discussed this with residents first. They have completely jumped the gun.

"We’ve never had any problems with Fife Council until now.”

The grass was cut by the council last Wednesday after it had been left for five weeks. 

The council said they were reviewing historical arrangements for the site.

Joe McGuinness, area services manager, added: “Council lawyers are looking at the detail of title deeds and the historical arrangements for us but we are committed to maintaining the areas in the meantime. 

"The grass has already been cut again.”