'Lego-type blocks' anger woman who was fenced in

A council has placed two "concrete Lego-type" blocks at the rear access to the home of an 81-year-old just one week after she won a legal wrangle over access.

Retired teacher Helene Ball won a three-year battle against Derbyshire County Council after it fenced off a 98cm gated gap between her garden and a council car park in April 2023.

As well as being fenced in, dozens of concrete blocks were laid on the access road leading to the car park, off Cavendish Road in Matlock, after it was put on the market.

After a first-tier tribunal ruled in Ball's favour on 27 August, she said the council was "a law unto themselves" after two new concrete blocks were laid at the rear of her home.

The BBC understands the two additional blocks were to protect the grassed area and trees from unauthorised parking and damage once the car park entrance is opened.

The council has acknowledged it was "unreasonable" to erect the original green fence at the heart of the dispute, adding it had "apologised for any distress caused".

A right of way has now been established, while the council has been ordered by the courts to pay £50,000 costs and to ensure Ball's access is not impeded again.

The other blocks on the roadside were put in place as part of the county council's preparations to comply with the judgement, pending the full details being issued.

This will likely involve opening the entrance to the car park so that Ball, of George Road in Matlock, can drive and walk to the rear of her garden.

However, Ball said the placement of the additional blocks, to provide a direct pathway from her gate to the road, made her feel "very annoyed".

"It appears to me that if I deviated from that path, that I would be trespassing.

"At 81 years of age, I clearly need guiding out of my back gate to the access road," she said.

"[Upon seeing them] I felt a mixture of anger and then wanting to laugh at how petty they are.

"I don't think there's any length this council won't go to. I'm very annoyed. These two blocks were not here."

As well as being left "exhausted" by the dispute, Ball said her victory had brought unexpected media coverage around the world.

"It's popped up in Argentina in Spanish, in the United States, in the Netherlands," she said.

"I'm 81. I've had a very busy life. And all I want to do is sit in my little house at the top of the road and live the remaining years in peace."

While she says she is not happy about the widespread coverage, she admitted it had been humorous and helped her with stress.

"I've actually been nicknamed 'Gangsta Granny' by someone online. So many humorous comments I've had to laugh," she said.

"I also had a wonderful card from a lady in Essex, who I don't know, who just sent me a beautiful message of support."

A spokesperson said the authority was in the process of negotiating access when legal proceedings were initiated.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further on matters that have been considered by the court other than that the council has a duty to safeguard its legal interests in public assets, including land that it owns and manages on behalf of residents," they said.

"Where issues arise concerning council-owned land or access rights, the council has a responsibility to consider the matter carefully and, where appropriate, defend any action.

"Its actions are always guided by its statutory duties."

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