Neighbours ugly fence

[FenceDispute]

We have new neighbours, They have a field that runs alongside the back of our property and about 10 other houses, For many years the field was used for silage by the previous owner and most people have low 3ft fences to make the most of the countryside views.
The new people however have decided to turn it into an equine property, and keep horses on the field which no-one objects to. What we do object to though is the fencing they have used. Instead of traditional post and rail that is fitting for the environment they have used commercial grade green metal fencing similar to that used at inner city schools, prisons etc. It is not over 2 metres so technically planning permission isn't needed. They have put this fence at the bottom, as close as possible to the bottom of peoples gardens, to the extent when there is no hedge they've gone in a couple of foot to grab that bit of land as well!!
We all have incredibly shallow gardens so myself and various others now look out our back windows onto this monstrosity, not in keeping with a rural village and frankly makes it feel like we are in a prison.

They have enclosed 7 acres, I cant anticipate them simply changing it because we ask them nicely - Other than close our gardens off at great expense erecting our own fences what the hell can we do??

[honeysucklejasmine]

Nothing you can do. But please do talk to them anyway. I recently had a visit from planning enforcement over some works we're having in the garden. We're completely compliant (planner apologised for wasting my time) but I am so so annoyed the neighbours didn't just talk to us first. I would probably have been willing to adjust our plans if they'd said something straight away. It's a bit late now and would cause considerable difficulty (though not impossible) to adjust anything now.

So even if you think they are unlikely to change it, please just ask. I would have, for sake of neighbourly relations.

[FenceDispute]

When we first saw the fencing we did ask them about it. They promised us it wasn't going at the bottom of the gardens - they have clearly lied to us so talking to them isn't an option as I believe they will say whatever they think will make people leave an issue until it is too late.

[HardAsSnails]

If it's on their land I can't see why they would change it. Just put up trellis in front of it and grow stuff up it.

[Snowydaysarehere]

Worth checking that commercial fencing is allowed around a residential home.

[MsMims]

You should still speak to them as if it’s otherwise compliant with the rules then speaking is your only chance of coming to some sort of compromise. If you just report them and it’s found they’ve done nothing wrong then it will cause bad feeling and your chances of having it changed will be zero.

[FenceDispute]

MsMims - do the council tell them who has complained to them?
We have spoken to them as we saw parts going up, they assured us not at the bottom of the garden which was a lie so to be honest they are the ones who have caused ill feeling

[FluffyWuffy100]

Bamboo in pots and/or trellis with climbing plants. Sorted.

[FenceDispute]

I am surprised how many people would simply accept a loss of view in this way. Really glad we live in a bungalow as others in the street have a much worse view from upstairs. No more evenings sitting out watching the barn owl hunt!
I have however spoken to planning regarding the fencing as it is commercial security fencing not livestock fencing and as such is not in keeping with the 'tone of the neighbourhood' it also sits of the curtlidge of a listed building so may also contravene planning, they will send an enforcement officer out to have a look and decide if they think there is an issue.
We did talk to them when we first saw it, they lied to us so frankly bollocks to neighbourly relations.
I shall order some fast growing climbers to at least hide it this summer, if planning do agree it isn't appropriate I've no doubt it'll be a long winded process getting the bloody thing removed, and if it isn't, then we need to start saving to replace the fence our side...

[honeysucklejasmine]

It's not that we'd accept the loss of view, but that there isn't anything they've done wrong (that we know of) so there's nothing to be done except make your side look presentable.

That said, good luck with the planners. And no, they don't say who reported it. Wish they did so I could go talk to them.

[bunbunny]

You mentioned the 'land grab' - have they actually put it on the border or have they taken some of your garden?

Might be worth checking if your gardens are small and an extra couple of feet would make a difference...

[ajandjjmum]

What about approaching them and saying that there's obviously been a mistake by the fence installers, as they assured you that this commercial fence would not be installed at the bottom of the gardens. You know they wouldn't break their word over something so important, so perhaps they could get the contractor back to re-fence as agreed?

[FluffyWuffy100]

I am surprised how many people would simply accept a loss of view in this way.

It is shit but you never owned the view. You only owned a tiny little stip of land so your view was always depending on other people playing ball and not building or putting up a fence!

[DenPerry]

I do think it's shit OP, we've just bought a house with a lovely view and it was more expensive because of it, so maybe your house will lose value? Could you post a pic of the type of fencing it is please, trying to picture it.. or even post a pic of the actual view you have now.

[SandunesAndRainclouds]

While it is absolutely shit, our horse field is about to turn into a housing estate. All of the lovely trees are going, no more red kites or nesting small birds. I think I’d prefer the fence over 2,000 houses...

[FenceDispute]

Its like this: www.heras.co.uk/products/demarcation/mesh-fencing/athena/

I wont post a picture just incase we do have a case which may go further. In terms of the view and not owning it, whilst correct the previous owners applied for planning permission multiple times and it was always refused so we had no concerns about the land being built on or used for anything other than agricultural.
Den Perry I do believe our house will have reduced in value as a direct result, you don't pay for views of the wolds for some knob to treat it like a prison camp.

For us they haven't land grabbed, but for those who do not have a hedge and just a low fence (we have both fence then hedge) others who have a fence have lost about 2 ft

[DonkeyOil]

Urgh! It looks hideous! Why have they done that? I've seen many fields with horses in but none of them have looked like that!

[Rollercoaster1920]

The horses won't jump it, and it is strong.

[FenceDispute]

Exactly my point Donkey!
We knew the field needing fencing, we were expecting post and rail, which would be fixed a metre in on their boundary so even if the horses stick their head over they can't get whatever harmful things are in the neighbouring garden. In our village (which has just over 150 houses) easily 15 of those have horses. NONE have this. It's a rural farming village - I have to drive 20 minutes to the nearest shop to buy a pint of milk

[whiskyowl]

If it's over your boundary, I assume you have some legal recourse - but this could get very expensive, very quickly. It might be worth trying to ask nicely, and then trying a solicitor's letter, but with the view of dropping this before it starts to cost thousands to sort out.

Otherwise, I think it will be a question of landscaping with some beautiful climbers (maybe include some evergreen climbing shrubs too?) to hide the structure. It's amazing how little you do actually see an eyesore when there are beautiful things to catch the eye in front of it. You can get climbers that are in flower literally all year round - so while you will lose a view, you will gain some beautiful plants.

[HardAsSnails]

It's not as bad as I was expecting and surely not that obtrusive. I was expecting something like this.

[whiskyowl]

Ugly fencing does look awful when it's new, though - once things have had a chance to grow up and around it, it blends in a bit more!

[Bluelady]

I'd be incandescent. Good luck with planning.

[FenceDispute]

HardAsNails - I'd have sobbed at that.
I think I'll chat to a few of my neighbours about having a 'fencing party' and we can all help each other put panels up to save costs on paying someone to do it....of course we'll have to rip out our hedge to put the fence up as there is zero access to it now. See even that could have been avoided, if they'd said their plans we'd have had chance to put a higher fence our side before access was blocked off.
WhiskyOwl, I am starting to research what I can grow against a fence, for year round coverage. I'm just gutted that we'll be loosing a hedge which is really important for local wildlife and lost view. We'll just have to put the fence up and move as soon as we feasible, someone who doesn't mind no view can live here instead

[BubblesBuddy]

A horse owner near me has 6ft solid wood panels along the length of her paddocks they are next to a public footpath.

I think you can easily grow something in front of it (absolutely not bamboo in a small garden). The reason they can put it on the boundary is that the horses cannot reach over it and eat anything they shouldn’t. They don’t need to leave 1 m or any gap. The horses also cannot wind suck on the fence or nibble it. It’s too high. It is therefore more cost effective for the owners.

As others have said, you don’t own the view. I doubt planning enforcement would take any notice whatsoever. We are green belt and AONB and it’s no problem to have a 6ft fence if you want one.

I agree that post and rail is the traditional fencing for paddocks. It’s what I have but it’s not obligatory. I do agree it’s not attractive and I would not use it - but I’ve got taste!