Neighbour has replaced her fence (our border) with low wire fence!

[Missingcaffeine]

So we get on very well with our next door neighbours but they have just taken down their solid 5 ft fence and replaced it with a low 2 ft wire fence. It's our border, but they are responsible for that fence. We have lost all our privacy and I'm now sat in my lounge and can be seen by the neighbours. I don't want to fall out with them, but it has really upset me. I know we can put a fence up our side, but I think that will cause conflict and it would also cost us a lot as it is a long garden. I'd be happy with a trellis/plants - just something to give us some privacy.
They have done it because they have a long narrow garden and want to use our garden to make theirs feel wider - so they are not boxed in. Our garden is much wider, so this would not be an issue for us.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Does anyone have any suggestions of good plants that would give us some privacy, but not cost crazy amounts and are relatively easy to maintain? I'm pregnant and had a toddler - so haven't got much time to maintain the garden but also need to be a bit frugal with money right now! I want to be able to breastfeed and walk around in my pyjamas in my house without feeling self-conscious that my neighbours can see me!

Oh no!
Do you know how high you'd want it to be?

How awful for you! That is beyond inconsiderate behaviour from them. Did they not seek your opinion on it at all? My move would be huge great big conifers, but I don't know how you come across huge ones or how much they cost.

Well I would consider myself above my neighbour in such a situation and Id put a six foot solid fence up on my side of the boundary.

Oh yes. Leylandii are the way forward.

Fencing is expensive but if you want something in place for the warmer weather it's the only solution. Anything you plant would take years to provide enough coverage.

That's so inconsiderate. I'd be hopping mad. Could you put up some trellis along the first bit of the boundary at least? And plant the rest? That way it looks a little less like a fence but you can play the toddler card - s/he would be able to hop over a low wire fence and you need to keep your garden enclosed and safe...

As for what to plant, photinia is good/easy/relatively quick growing and also nice to look at. Doesn't look too hedgey either.

One of my old neighbours had bamboo at the end of their garden ( I had huge gates, all the gardens backed onto garages iyswim) it spread like wild fire and got really tall too.

They took their fence down so your garden would make theirs appear larger???!!!!

One of the strangest things I have read on here

Have they thrown out their old fencing? Could you ask them if you can have it for a project....and then put it up again on your side?

I would be fuming and would definitely say something to them! Ask them why they want to be able to see you naked in your sitting room!

How inconsiderate of them. And odd!

I would suggest just putting your own fence up. Yes I know it's an expense you could do without but I'd value my privacy over neighbourly relations.

It is bonkers but perhaps the fence was shading too much of their garden.

Still very cheeky not to consult with you - did they think you wouldn't notice

You need a fence or trellis at least if you want privacy this summer. Forsythia makes for quite cheap and quick hedging but it is deciduous, so only really gives you privacy in summer. It is pretty though - you could plant an evergreen honeysuckle in amongst it, to give you all year cover, if you want to have some hedging and some fencing. Yy to photenia too - they are very pretty, though a bit more expensive.

Ugh I have this. We only have a low wire fence on one side. We are friendly with neighbour but they would hate it if we put up a full fence as it would shade their garden.

If I could afford it, I'd still put the fence up. We all chat over the fences in summer, but that low fence gives us no privacy at all....

I'd put up a fence. It's fine that they want their garden to look bigger but not at the expense of your garden.

you could put a full fence up closer to the house, and then plants further down?

Put up a fence on your side as quickly as possible. Doesn't matter if it's not pretty, just that its high enough. Then you can plant some nice things along it so it looks nice later. Your right to have some privacy trumps their odd wish to make their garden feel bigger.

Your toddler is your ally I would encourage a love of football and ring the doorbell every five minutes to retrieve the ball

You need a fence. Do as much as you can afford starting at the back of the house.

Seriously though, I'd be worried about young children escaping or climbing over such a low fence. Can you tell your neighbours that you need the garden to be securely enclosed?

You could also claim to be struck by the grow your own bug, and erect wire mesh or trellising to grow beans and climbing squash/courgettes all down that side. For your toddler. To help with their eating. How could they object?!

Then save up a bit and wham some fences in the autumn. And plant small fruit trees as well, as you 'realise that type went a bit over the top with he beans and squash' but still want to grow your own.

I wouldn't be happy at all at having an unsecured garden with a toddler and would be putting up solid 6ft fence ASAP, a cheapy rough one if necessary. They havent given you any consideration or worried about upsetting or inconveniencing you. Just explain its to secure your garden for the children.

Sod it, put up a six foot fence. I'd hate to be stared at or feel vulnerable in my own house. Gah.

We have this, but it has always been that way not changed. In fact when we moved in there was also a low wooden fence our side that our previous owners had put up, but it was a PITA because weeds and other plants would grow in between the two. As each panel rotted we removed it and just have the wire fence apart from two 5ft panels we have put up next to our patio for a little privacy there and in the kitchen - perhaps you could do that?

I actually really like the setup, we are always chatting over the fence, I like looking at their garden and it feels sociable. Although I have no issue with being seen in my PJs, I wander round the garden in them regularly.

We live in a terrace and wooden fencing is stipulated in the house deeds. Perhaps you could check your deeds.

I am afraid I would put up 6ft fencing for privacy near the house and lower fencing all the way down. Sadly, people won't pay for what is reasonable so if you want to know where your DC is and want some privacy, you have to act. A company called Jacksons sells lovely "Venetian" style fence panels which I would use for the top end. Do not ever plant Leylandii. You will be sorry as they are thugs and you will get no light at all when they grow too high. Berbers and phobia mixed would work. We have beech hedges and they grow surprisingly quickly but need annual trimming.

Our friends have the opposite problem. A wire fence was replaced by their neighbour with 2m high close boarded fencing all the way down the garden. They now never see her. They used to cook for her and she for them. It is bizarre what people do.