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?

OP just check whose fence it is. Also look at some of the prettier ones.

Put all the dumped trees back on their side and then get the fence put up pronto. Theyll struggle to put them back on your side then.

You can always leave the flimsy fence and butt yours right up to it on your own land. No arguments that way

Talking of tree felling twatty neighbours...

amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/24/cut-down-fir-tree-becomes-sheffield-attraction-after-neighbour-dispute

So either the company illegally cut down your trees without your permission so need to replace them like for like, or they cut down your neighbours trees and dumped them on your land so need to remove them. I would be putting that to them and asking them to pick!

If you get a fence with concrete gravel boards, there are now lots of companies that build a hedgehog gap into them. Failing that, you can cut a hole in the wood fence and use bricks to make a staircase up to it on either side.

www.stockportfencing.co.uk/product/6-x-1-concrete-hedgehog-base-panel-gravel-board/

Also with your new fence, if it has any rails, they should face inwards. It's not "nice side" or "pretty side", the rail-less side faces out to present a smooth, less climbable aspect.

I only popped in to say this too. Who on earth builds a ladder into their garden?

Report the company responsible for fly tipping.

Six foot fences are standard and there is no "right to light" for a garden.

How to drum a clue into your neighbour's skull I don't know.

I would simply say to the gardening company that they are either your trees and your responsibility to dispose of, which means that they trespassed on your land and cut down your trees without your permission OR they are your neighbours trees and therefore they have flytipped them on your property.

I'd get their cut trees dumped back on their lawn. No way would I be paying to dispose of them. If the firm was legit that dumped them I'd get in touch and get them to remove them or you'll report them for fly tipping.

Yes - get a fence up pdq.

Definitely, get a fence. What prats

@rivertoskateaway

I would simply say to the gardening company that they are either your trees and your responsibility to dispose of, which means that they trespassed on your land and cut down your trees without your permission OR they are your neighbours trees and therefore they have flytipped them on your property.

Agree with this approach. Also, yanbu to putting a fence up. Actually I’d be having my interpretation of the Berlin Wall.

Fence it! And then plant a row of trees inside the fence. And a hedge.

I'm so glad I moved into a pre-fenced house!

6' fence. Paint the panels before it goes up.

No you are not being unreasonable. You need basic privacy.

Fence! Do it! ASAP!

We put up a 6’ fence both sides to replace a 3’ fence when we moved into our house 13 years ago. Our neighbours didn’t go ballistic (thankfully, they are good sorts), but they were clearly dubious/unhappy initially. A higher fence doesn’t effect light in a garden at all. Once ours was up, they were fine/happy with it. I put the emphasis on needing it for the dog. Really, we just wanted a private garden.

Go for it. Put up your fence and enjoy the privacy. Your neighbours will be fine once it’s up and they realise it’s not a problem. If they are not fine, all the more reason to have a 6’ fence!

I had the same type of fence as you. I put up a 6 foot fence! The renters said I spoiled their view! Didn’t care!

Put up the fence, I had the same problem years ago, it was a front garden with chain fence, the next door came out shouting that I couldn't put a wooden fence up, she even called the council, they came and told her there was nothing she could do, the fence was fine.

“AthousandStarlings
“And if you do put up your fence, try to do it in a way that doesn't rub them up the wrong way. Things may become increasingly difficult.“

They are already beyond difficult. I can’t think “If” can come into it regarding a fence.

The only other way out would be to move.

I once went to view a house which was a mid terrace in a row of about six houses. Lovely house. When we went into the back garden however all of the neighbours had removed the fences between the gardens and replaced them with tiny little walls. So the gardens were marked out but “it’s just lovely, everyone gets on so well and it means we can all chat whenever we are in the garden”.

Man did I get the hell out of dodge.

"Good fences make good neighbours" - or at least block out the bad ones!

Your neighbours are twats. Build the wall! For once I want a wall built, who knew

Go out there tits akimbo and see if they change their mind. The wife might at least.