A gran who won a David and Goliath court battle with council chiefs over access to her home is facing a fresh fight after giant “Lego” blocks were dumped outside.

Helene Ball, 81, launched legal action three years ago after a metal fence was erected across a gap in her garden wall.

The barrier meant the retired school teacher could no longer get to the rear of her home in Matlock, which was less congested than the cul-de-sac at the front.

She claimed her right of way had been illegally blocked by Derbyshire County Council.

Helene Ball with the concrete blocks placed outside the property blocking vehicle access

placeholder image — Helene Ball with the concrete blocks placed outside the property blocking vehicle access

Last month Helene won back her right of access following a tribunal, with the council ordered to pay her legal fees of around £50,000.

But the gran-of-four is now gearing up for round two after 54 huge “Lego-style” blocks were placed outside her home.

The 2ft-high bricks line the narrow road behind her property and the grass verge alongside her garden wall.

Helene, who has two grown-up children, said: “It's just so petty of the council to do this after they lost the case but they have been spiteful from the start.

The gran-of-four is now gearing up for round two of her battle with the council after 54 huge “Lego-style” blocks were placed outside her home.

“The judge said I had a right of access by foot and by car to the rear of my house.

“However, the council have made it impossible to drive a car up the road and turn round, it's ridiculous.”

Helene and her late husband Brian moved into their home on George Road nearly 60 years ago and brought up their two sons there.

But in April 2023 the council erected a 6ft green fence across a gap in her garden wall leading to a council car park.

The car park, which residents were allowed to use at weekends, closed three years ago while the council tried to sell the land for houses.

Despite winning her case, Helene is now preparing for another legal battle in a bid to force the council to remove the blocks.

Her son David, 50, who has been carrying out legal work on behalf of his mum, said: “The council have not acted in the spirit of the law.

“Our legal team are investigating whether the council are interfering with access to my mum's home.

“Basically my mum won her case but the council have made it impossible for her to use the access road which she has used since she moved in in the 1960s.”

Derbyshire County Council admitted it had been “unreasonable” to erect the original green fence at the centre of the dispute.

A spokesperson said: “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.”