// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
'Lego-type blocks' anger woman who was fenced in
Helene Ball, who has lived in her home since 1967, stood between two concrete blocks that have been laid on grass near the rear access to her home
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.
These two concrete blocks were placed on to the grass after Ball won her legal dispute
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.