Home / Crime and Justice / Gran Wins Garden Access After 3-Year Council Fight
Gran Wins Garden Access After 3-Year Council Fight
18 Sep
Summary
- Elderly woman won a three-year battle against council over garden access.
- A tribunal ruled in her favor, establishing a right of way.
- Council ordered to pay £50,000 in costs and ensure future access.
An 81-year-old retired teacher has won a three-year legal dispute against Derbyshire County Council concerning access to her property. The council had erected a metal fence panel in April 2023, blocking a gated gap between her garden and a council car park, a route her family had used for decades.
A first-tier tribunal has now ruled in her favor, recognizing her established use of the gate since the 1960s. This ruling legally confirms a right of way and orders the council to cover £50,000 in costs, ensuring her access remains unobstructed.
During the legal battle, the council's representation was described by the judge as "surprisingly combative." While the fence was removed within a year, vehicle access remained blocked. The council has since provided a new route using concrete blocks.
