AIBU to put up a fence?

[jessicawessica]

My driveway and next door's driveway doesn't have a fence or wall to separate it atm.
We are thinking about getting a puppy, but as we live on a very busy main road, would need to put something up to stop the puppy running into the road.
The fence would be about 6ft high and 18ft long which would run down the side of both our houses.
She has complained about my plans. She parks her car on the lower part of the drive and her DH parks his on the upper part, underneath my kitchen window and using my part of the driveway to get in and out of the car.
When the fence goes up he won't be able to open his car door as it will be right up next to the new fence, so will have to park his car lower down next to hers on the driveway.
My door leading into our garden is on the side of the house so really need a fence to keep the dog from escaping across both our open driveways and into the road.
I don't understand why her DH needs to access my driveway to get in and out of his car when they have ample parking space on the front driveway.
AIBU?

Of course not - it's not as if you are doing it just to stop him from using your bit of the drive. When they complained did you explain it was so your new puppy can't escape? 6' is pretty high though, it will be quite imposing, however that is a moot point really. Your land, you have a good reason - ignore the buggers!

You know the rules... parking threads require diagrams, no exceptions

I don't think you're being unreasonable. Its nice that its worked out so far for everyone but now you want to do something differently and that means they have to use their own driveway, in a different manner. Hardly the end of the world.

Check your title deeds to make sure that it isn't a shared right of way over that part of the drive. Provided that it isn't you should be able to do so, however, 6 ft fence to the front of the property is unusual and you would probably need planning permission if it goes right up to the front adjacent to the adopted highway so make sure you check that before you proceed. Also check that the title doesn't say that you can't build in front of the building line (ie frontage of the property) as that is a very usual covenant on houses. If so you may not be allowed to construct such a high fence without a release of that covenant. It is more usual for a 6ft fence to be around the side and rear gardens back past the building line for these reasons. You would need to install a gate in the fence to the front of the house but would still give you the security you need without the planning complications.

Put the fence up snd ignore them.

Plan? Does it need to be 6ft ( you may find it should be lower near the roadway). Do you want puppy to have free access to front?

Check your deeds, make sure you build the fence on your land, if it's on your property there is absolutely nothing they can do about it.

Diagram please 😂

If it's on your property and it's all within the law then there's nothing they can do about it and I'm actually surprised they said this to you. I'd be too embarrassed to complain about not being able to use someone else's property for my own benefit. It's very cheeky.

Sorry should add that the fence won't go all the way to the road as there is a 4ft high wall that does separate me and NDN right at the front.
The front of my driveway is blocked off with 4ft high gates so will just keep them closed.
I only chose 6ft hihg as I read somewhere that anything higher need planning permission. Plus the fence she has installed running up the length of her garden is 6ft so thought it might blend in better than a shorter fence.

what breed of dog is it?
is it likely to be huge and jump over anything lower than 6ft?

your property, your boundary so do as you please - honestly, your neighbour may be disgruntled but will get over it in time.

maybe consider a slightly lower fence... will a 6ft fence block any light to your property?

lots to consider but you are within reason to erect the fence, so do it.

its goid that you are considering safety before the puppy arrives - shows responsibility and no one can fault you for that but of course they will anyway

YANBU, do what's right for you (within rules), not your neighbours.

provided the fence is on your side of the property they can feck off.

They have gotten used to parking there because of no fence. He will just have to park elsewhere.

Also maybe a lower fence just so you won't feel so cramped in (bugger them!) and you won't have any light blockage?

They want you to put your dog in danger because they want to continue using your driveway? haha

6ft to the roadway is unlikely to be allowed as you need to allow for that during vehicle egress from the driveway to safely view the roadway. Check not only your property deeds and planning, but local bylaws too. There is usually something about visibility splay.

Are there any garages to the rear part of the driveway? What are other properties like? It is possible that you have a shared drive in the deeds or by custom. Tread very carefully. Worst case scenario is you build the fence and then end up in court being forced to make good the land which could cost tens of thousands all in.

Do it, it's your house and your garden, not like you're expecting them to help pay for the fence.

How cheeky of the husband, he's got plenty of driveway to park.

Our neighbour sounds like yours. When DH mentioned about putting up a fence around our front garden (like a 3ft one) the neighbour said to make sure they can still get out of there car..... they have a double driveway but still insist on parking one of the cars on the front grass right up close to our side of the driveway.

Erm no, my garden, my fence.

Is there any reason why the puppy can’t be restricted to the back garden? Would be the easiest - and cheapest - option.

Have added another diagram if that helps so you can get a better idea of where the fence would end.
We haven't got the dog yet as I wanted to dog proof the property first.

try again

We aren't allowed to put fences up in our front gardens so check you can first. If you can then crack on, it's not your problem about his car. He could reverse up if it's that much of an issue

I think he's being a bit rude using your driveway to get out anyway! I would not want my neighbor that close to my backdoor!

I think your idea is fine but I’d run a fence/gate from front wall to dividing fence which keeps dog in back of garden and not anywhere near road. Ndn look like they have ample drive to park on.

Also there’s no need for his car to be that far up, sounds a CF.

he's got loads of driveway space why does he have to park there? put the fence up they are CFs.

jessicawessicaI would check with planning. Any fence forward of the front elevation of your house above 1m would likely need planning permission especially as it is adjacent to the highway and driveways.

If you don't need planning permission I would get a certificate of lawful development from the Council, that way the neighbours can't complain.

3rd time lucky