So now my neighbours object to us fencing off our land

[Reluctantwitness]

Our neighbours asked a few years ago to remove the rickety unpleasant fence between us. We said yes. They planted a climber with a bit of wire at 4 ft which might solve the problem in 10 years. Meanwhile though we are completely eye to eye with their extension. It’s about 6 foot from their picture window to the boundary so it’s very awkward.
I avoid being in that area of the garden because I feel I am intruding into their family life by being there. And they are able to make direct eye contact if I try to do some gardening. Essentially there are people sitting at their dining table within 6/8 ft or so.

My husband wanted to put up a 2m privacy fence but I knew that would be the nasty for the neighbours because of blocking light.

I therefore told them I intended to replace the fence, at my own expense and on my own land. have agreed to have solid fence at 3ft with about 2ft 4 inches diamond trellis above.

They are objecting still......it’s pretty annoying......

The fencing company guy left today without giving a quote because the neighbour came over and involved in the discussion (I had given them warning as a courtesy).

Is it time to just shut this down and say “we are not asking a favour, we are going to fence off our land as is our right”.... I know we all get precious about our gardens and views but I have given them notice, am designing the bloody thing for their benefit and have had enough.

Get some garden furniture, set it up facing their extension, and sit every day staring into their window. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Just sit, drinking your tea, in your dressing gowns in the morning, and stare. Give it some time and they’ll be begging for a fence and in the meantime you’ll have got some amusement out of the situation

If they’re hard nuts to crack, start commentating their activities. Possibly using score cards.

I'm putting up a 6ft fence which my elderly neighbour objects to. It's still going up.

A garden fence two metres from a window is pretty normal and wouldn't have an unacceptable impact on light. Using one with a trellis is very considerate of you and they should be thankful. They might not like what it looks like, but they can stick a plant in front of it. I agree that they demonstrated why you need it when they came out and interfered with your discussions with the fencing guy.

You do as you see fit. It's your garden and your fence. If they would like different they can pay for the fence. I'm sure if they were having something done they wouldn't consult you.

Neighbours do my head in.

Why are you prioritising their feelings over your own family's privacy? Of course they are pushy and demanding, you are being a complete doormat!

Our NDN went a bit crazy when we wanted to put up a fence too. He was worried about shading his garden although his garden was 10x bigger than ours and he kept looking into our kitchen

I knocked and told him I was putting up a fence on my side of the boundary. He complained a lot but I ignored it. We put one up anyway. On the day the fence people came he did come out and huff trying to stop it but the men took no notice and kept going anyway.

Best thing we ever did while living in that house!!

Just tell them you're getting a mahoosive dog and put up a 6ft fence. Good fences makes for good neighbours.
It's not their business if it was an imaginary dog.

You should do it, they'll stop complaining when it's up and it sounds like you've tried to accommodate them the best you can and they're still not happy so go ahead, build the fencec you need to be able to enjoy your garden!

You have every right to put a fence up . Go round today and explain that you are putting a fence up and explain that you need privacy. Be firm tell them what’s happening and explain that you are doing so to be considerate to them and tell you do not appreciate chasing away anybody that comes over to give a quote .
I’m afraid you’ve got to be firm but you can do it in a polite way as you still have to live next door to them .
Tbh you’d think they’d want the privacy too .

Permission? Just put the fence up, stop consulting them.

What awful neighbours! Too many neighbours like this around now.

I had a workman for a quote and he left without leaving a quote because of interferring neighbours.

MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously Your mistake was in discussing it and behaving as if their opinion is equal yours. Find out what you can legally put up and then just do it. Don't tell them when someone is coming to quote - be present when the quote is done and if the neighbour tries to interfere tell them to bugger off.

This.

Be warned though I have a 'problem' neighbour who wanted to argue about everything and kept coming onto my property. I tried to speak with him about a fence but he wouldn't have the conversation. When I got fed up enough I just installed a fence within my boundary he harassed the fence installer the whole time he was here (prolonged the job by a day), started screaming to anyone that would listen that I had installed a fence without telling him (not true) and then he started attacking my fence, digging underneath my fence, using ladders to climb over my fence, shoving and drilling things into my fence, spraying my fence with various things. It has been a nightmare. The police do not treat damage to fences as criminal damage because 'it's just a fence, it's outside'. Of course, me having spent thousands on a fence feels very differently.

I think you try to speak with the neighbour sensibly about the fence. If they refuse to agree to anything then you need to do what is best for you within your own property, BUT be warned it might not end well. You've been giving your neighbour too much room to feel like what you do on your property is up to them so going forward I think you might have problems and God help the people who buy your house if you move!

Thanks for these messages.

I still think we did the right thing to give notice and consult.

sorry for the drip feed but they also tend to park in the bit of the yard where their right of way is and DH asked them to stop and they said ok we'll stop.

so that's actually huge progress.

it is all about the fact that our house was once full of their tenants - they haven't adjusted to there being equal neighbours.

they aren't bad people it's the pandemic making everyone crazy.

@Reluctantwitness

Our neighbours asked a few years ago to remove the rickety unpleasant fence between us. We said yes. They planted a climber with a bit of wire at 4 ft which might solve the problem in 10 years. Meanwhile though we are completely eye to eye with their extension. It’s about 6 foot from their picture window to the boundary so it’s very awkward. I avoid being in that area of the garden because I feel I am intruding into their family life by being there. And they are able to make direct eye contact if I try to do some gardening. Essentially there are people sitting at their dining table within 6/8 ft or so.

My husband wanted to put up a 2m privacy fence but I knew that would be the nasty for the neighbours because of blocking light.

I therefore told them I intended to replace the fence, at my own expense and on my own land. have agreed to have solid fence at 3ft with about 2ft 4 inches diamond trellis above.

They are objecting still......it’s pretty annoying......

The fencing company guy left today without giving a quote because the neighbour came over and involved in the discussion (I had given them warning as a courtesy).

Is it time to just shut this down and say “we are not asking a favour, we are going to fence off our land as is our right”.... I know we all get precious about our gardens and views but I have given them notice, am designing the bloody thing for their benefit and have had enough.

At this point, because of their interference, I'd go with your husbands' option.