Fenced-in woman angered by new 'Lego' blocks

A woman has described a council as "a law unto themselves" after it placed additional concrete blocks near an entrance to her property.

Helene Ball, who lives on George Road in Matlock, won a three-year legal battle against Derbyshire County Council after it fenced-off a gap in her garden wall, and secured the establishment of a right of way and £50,000 in costs from the authority.

But she said two further "concrete Lego bricks" had been placed on the grass verge outside her gate after the verdict.

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

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 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."

Derbyshire County Council 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 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.

"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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