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?

[ViciousJackdaw]

Put it up and screw them if they take offence to it

[FangsForTheMemory]

Is 'put up the fence!' the new 'cancel the cheque!'?

[SynchroSwimmer]

I would retain the wire fence - as evidence of your actual boundary for future, and then erect your fence on your land - as others say.

[skodadoda]

If your neighbours are even remotely approachable you could tell them that you might not be putting the fence up if they were not so grumpy.

[Felifox]

Our Manager at work wanted to have the same fence round both sides and across the end of his garden. So he spoke to the neighbours and he installed concrete posts. He also sprayed the fence panels every year on both sides as you can remove the panels to do this. You could spray the fence their side black and say they're not to paint it.

When you get the fence done put the rubbish back their side

[Beecham]

Yes, keep the wire fence, put new fence alongside. It is perfectly reasonable to want privacy! Your neighbours sound odd.

I'd also grow roses, clematis etc up the fence for further privacy and general niceness. Don't forget small hedgehog hole somewhere at the far end.

[Librariesmakeshhhhappen]

Put up the fence! Nothing they can do. And they cant touch it without your permission.

[StaffRepFeistyClub]

Time for you to go ballistic! Your boundary your fence


You can really annoy by having a bonfire ... after all you have all that debris in your garden. Pretend you are going to cook sausages on a fork.

[GrandDuchessRomanov]

Another vote for the fence OP but PLEASE don't forget to incorporate a "Hedgehog Highway" :)

[EvenRosesHaveThorns]

They sound awful and controlling. Do it, do it, do it and try to find some sanity and privacy!!!

[lastcall]

Definitely get the fence up. Ignore them.

[DynamoKev]

@MissM2912

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

🤣 🤣 I love MN

[Wineat5isfine]

Put the fence up! “To keep the dog in”!

And a 6ft fence won’t make any difference to how much light their garden gets, because you know, the sun is in the sky and all that….

[Gertie75]

Fence. Fence. Fence.

Then photos of said fence on here.

[Beautiful3]

Put up the fence to keep your dog in. Ignore them.

[TwoLeftElbows]

Don't you have an obligation to have secure fences because of the dog? Handily.

[TheTeenageYears]

A proper fence is also better for security. It's slightly more challenging for a burglar to jump over than a low chain link fence between gardens. You are selflessly thinking of them OP

[BlackAlys]

Fence!

I understand overhanging branches being cut and left on your lawn (petty, but within their rights) but if they've cut down the whole tree that was on your property, then that is massively questionable (unless I've misunderstood).

[megletthesecond]

Yanbu. Ignore them and do it.
I went though this. Neighbours were responsible for fence but wouldn't put one up, we could walk between gardens. I've banged up a 6ft fence just over my side of the border 🖕.

[londonscalling]

Put the fence up and make sure the "nicer" side of the fence shows in your garden and the rails face their garden!

[megletthesecond]

@grandduchessromanov I have a hedgehog highway with one of the little signs!

[LavendulaAngustifolia]

Put up the fence. And fuck courtesy with giving them the 'pretty' side which seems to be another mumsnet madness thing. Make sure you get the good side if you get those ones installed.

[Summerdayshaze]

Get that fence up.

[expat101]

It's expected that as a dog owner, you should be taking steps to keep your dog on your side of the boundary.

perfectly legitimate reasoning that they cannot object to.

[SteppinOutwithMyBaby]

Go for a colourbond fence. Less maintenance and once palings begin to shrink it leaves a gap between them, and it can be a bit annoying. Also, I found with a colour bond fence, my dogs were a lot less likely to bark because they couldn't see through the cracks in the fence. Admittedly I did live on a busy corner.