AIBU to put up a fence against neighbours' wishes?

[bigbluecup]

Long story short, I've wanted to change my 4' flimsy wire fence for a 6' solid wood panel one for a while. I finally have the funds for it, and an even bigger falling out with neighbours next door recently has led me to seriously go for it. I currently have no privacy in my garden, and after they have removed all of the trees and hedges on the other side of my fence my dog is now more than capable of jumping over the 4' wire fence. I would also love to be able to sit in my garden without them staring at me as they currently do (retired couple who seem to live in their garden)

The current fence is 100% mine, no doubt about it. I've looked up rules and I'm perfectly allowed to put up a 6' solid fence without need for planning permission.

However, they witnessed someone I had over to give me a quote for this new fence and they went BALLISTIC. They're claiming that their garden will be darkened and that the only reason they just cut down all the trees and hedges on their side of the fence were to give them extra light.

AIBU to still be strongly considering putting up this fence?

[aggathapanthus]

Fence.
I believe the legal limit is 7ft? Unless their garden is 10ft wide, a 6ft fence will not put them in the shade.

[Billybagpuss]

There is nothing they can do, put up the fence and enjoy your privacy. We jointly own our and our neighbour is in dispute with another neighbour so she is putting up a fence on the very edge of her border so the other neighbour has no right of complaint.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

A 6ft fence is perfectly normal!

[Nightbear]

Wooden panel fences are standard unless you’re keeping horses

[Whammyyammy]

Feck em. Put up the fence

[WingingItSince1973]

Definitely put up the fence. Privacy and security reasons top their dubious shade problem. Plus it's your fence x

[PurBal]

@GeorgiaGirl52

Put it up and then plant a row of even taller trees, bushes, bamboo inside the fence.

I like this idea

[MiddlesexGirl]

Posts and wire and shrubs will not keep a dog in.
Height of fences is apparently a local planning policy issue but 2m seems standard.

[Imnotcrazyjustdrunk]

I'd leave the wire fence up and put up the 6' fence on your side

[Sadsiblingatsea]

If you do put up a fence, please leave at least a 3 inch hole somewhere, which is enough for hedgehogs to use as a vital pathway between gardens.

[Nobeautysleep]

We did this.
Except we took our fence to 2metre (6ft6!)

[TheSoapyFrog]

YANBU. Can you apply to get an 8ft fence?

[Chloemol]

Put the fence up. It’s the first thing I did when I moved, on all three sides of my garden as I needed privacy ( previously chain link fence and a few bushes). One neighbour ok the other a bit upset as she couldn’t shout across three gardens to her friend

Let them moan away you gave the right to out a fence up

[GertietheGherkin]

@MissM2912

I personally don’t like wooden plank fences like that. Think a bit tacky. I would put up posts and wire and shrubs.

Posts and wire? Seriously? Shrubs take time to grow and the likelihood is the neighbours will trim them right down.

Also it won't keep the dog safe.

[olympicsrock]

Just tell them you want privacy and that is your right. Their wishes don’t trump yours.

[Coffeemakesmehappy]

@Sadsiblingatsea

If you do put up a fence, please leave at least a 3 inch hole somewhere, which is enough for hedgehogs to use as a vital pathway between gardens.

Love this. 6ft fence to be a responsible person and keep your dog within your boundaries, whilst also looking out for hedgehogs (I am lucky enough to have 3 visiting every night).

[wasthataburp]

Of course you should just put up the fence!!

[Cactusowl]

Another vote for putting a fence up. I wouldn’t feel comfortable in my garden if my neighbours and I could see each other.

[Boatingforthestars]

Put it up and maybe treat yourself to a cheeky trellis on top of it too

[danni0509]

I’d put an 8ft one up to piss them off further.

[bigbluecup]

Phew, thanks all - you've put my mind at ease that I'm not being irrational. I'd have considered replacing with a slightly higher (and sturdier) wire fence, but their recent antics made me want to build a wall Donald Trump would be jealous of. Alas, I'll stick with a 6' solid fence so at least I don't have to see their faces all day long.

@Sadsiblingatsea Thank you so much for the advice, I had no idea and we have lots of hedgehogs in the gardens so I'll be sure to give them a route through.

As for our garden sizes, they're pretty large - wide and long. I know some of theirs will be darker into the evening but definitely not the whole garden, and they will just have to move their patio furniture if they want it in the sun

[EKGEMS]

If it were me I'd get the side of fence facing them electrified (just joking)

[Leonberger]

Put up the fence!

We had the exact same issue. I remember the neighbour stomping around as the men were putting it up
Worth every bit of drama though.

[Blackcat333]

They cut down trees? I hate them already... Fence and some trees please, the big ferns that grow fast and tall 😂.

[Patapouf]

Put it up, tough shit to grumpy neighbours maybe they can sit on the other side of the garden if they are so worried about light! A six foot fence is the norm!