Elderly man ordered to remove driveway built on council land

David Siggins, who relies on two crutches to move and suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, installed the block-paved driveway on a grass verge outside his home after obtaining what he believed was proper authorization. The elderly resident is now threatened with legal action by Rochford Council, which has claimed ownership of the land where the driveway was constructed.

According to Siggins, he was given permission to proceed with the project, which cost him £2,200. However, council officials have since informed him that the grass verge belongs to the municipality, not to him, and have demanded its removal.

The situation has placed the pensioner in a difficult position. Given his physical condition and age, the prospect of dismantling the driveway and potentially facing legal proceedings has raised questions about the communication and clarity of land ownership between the resident and local authorities.

The dispute highlights the importance of verifying land ownership and obtaining explicit written consent from the correct authority before undertaking property improvements on boundary areas. Rochford Council has not yet clarified whether it will negotiate alternative arrangements with the elderly resident.