Story perspectives

Council Pays £50,000 After Tribunal Orders Matlock Access

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 12:04 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Derbyshire County Council placed concrete blocks outside 81-year-old Helene Ball’s Matlock home.
Ball, a retired teacher, won a three-year legal battle for rear-gate access.
On 27 August, a tribunal ordered the council to pay £50,000 and secure the right of way.
Council admitted the fence was unreasonable, apologized, and said the blocks protect grass and trees.
Judge Robert Brown described the council’s legal representation as combative and largely irrelevant.

1 of 1

Story summary

Derbyshire County Council placed concrete blocks outside 81-year-old Helene Ball’s Matlock home.
Ball, a retired teacher, won a three-year legal battle for rear-gate access.
On 27 August, a tribunal ordered the council to pay £50,000 and secure the right of way.
Council admitted the fence was unreasonable, apologized, and said the blocks protect grass and trees.
Judge Robert Brown described the council’s legal representation as combative and largely irrelevant.