Good For Her.

[cassa333]

She doesn't even own it so a five figure sum to lose something you don't own would seem like a lottery win to some people. But she values her garden more so good for her I say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-43277247

[bhg481]

I feel very sorry for people who think that money is the solution to everything. There comes a point in life, before the age of 97, when personal comfort means more than useless money. What on earth is she going to do with the money that she will get in exchange for making her last years miserable?

[bhg481]

Why would she want to go in a care home - I certainly wouldn't.

[Mamyalynne]

Exactly, the home she's known for 50 years and probably paid more rent than it was ever worth, surrounded by her own mementos.

Due respect Spath but at 20 something you're not going to see things the same as someone much older.

[bhg481]

I wonder if spath has ever lived in any sort of hostel; I did when I first started work. You lose all independence and privacy, someone else decide what you will eat and how you like it cooked; not much fun at all when you're used to pleasing yourself.

[Mamyalynne]

It doesn't matter a jot that she doesn't own it, read the article and the Council's response.

We have to accept that not everyone will understand her viewpoint, it's a shame to go through this at any time but extra tough at 97.

[Barmaid]

This is her right. She has a secure tenancy - one that has subsisted for 50 years (or the article would imply). There is a principle that a Landlord must not derogate from his grant (ie he must not seek to take away something that he has leased). The fact that she presumably has complied with the terms of her tenancy, means the Council can do nothing. She does "own" something - she owns the rights attracted to her tenancy and she can sell or retain those rights as she sees fit!

I find it rather amusing.

[woofgang]

I knew of a similar case locally in the early 90's. A very old disabled man whose home (which he owned, had built and lived in since his marriage some 60 years earlier) drove a truck through too many public health laws to list. His neighbours loved and supported him and all he wanted was to be in his own surroundings for as long as he could. I has several "informal" chats with local public health officials who knew of the circumstances and had decided that under the circumstances, they would have to defer enforcement due to various good official sounding reasons. Social services were similarly able to bend rules as though they were rubber bands in order to keep him at home for his last few years.....one of my better memories.

[bhg481]

She doesn't want to SEE 2 metres of grass, she wants the 2 metres of grass to separate her from the traffic and people who will walk past and stare in through her window.