Hiding neighbours' ugly fence

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Next door are currently replacing the fence between our houses and have put in place short curved-top panels which have a large section of trellis at the top.

They look pretty silly because A) they're too short for the concrete posts which jut up higher (not sure if they measured incorrectly!). And B) they have painted their side in a bright orange/red colour which has seeped through to our side and run down the panels.

In addition the trellis section now means that they can see into our garden and conservatory where they previously couldn't.

I know I'm not allowed to paint the fence (to cover their paint job) or attach anything to it without their permission. Is there anything else I can do to disguise this fence and gain a little more privacy back?

I would put up my own fence on my side of the boundary that looks nicer.

Sorry should have said that we only just had our garden completely renovated last summer at some expense. There is a patio and then small raised flower bed down the side of this fence. Wouldn't be able to erect a new fence without digging into patio and losing the majority of our new narrow flower bed. Ideally need something free standing to cover their fence. Is there such a thing?

Maybe a trellis with a fast-growing plant, like an everlasting sweet pea? That would do for the summer months..

How many panels are we talking? How tall is the solid part of the fence - 4ft with 1ft trellis?

Rolls of bamboo in front of it on your side?

I'm not the biggest fan of bamboo but maybe it would work in this instance planted in pots to obscure the most overlooked area (patio, conservatory). Would it block a lot of sun from your patio?

I have pyracantha, ceonothus, star jasmine, passionflower, clematis (evergreen and deciduous) and honeysuckle. The trouble is they wind themselves through my trellis. Your neighbours might cut them back and you'd be back to square one.

How annoying that they've gone for such a short fence!

(I wonder if they've done it to get more sun into their garden. Are you E or W facing?)

Put up your own fence or plant a hedge. Nothing else will screen it really and you can’t grow anything on it.

Could you look into bolting a permanent wooden screen to your patio using this sort of thing and 6ft panels of attractive lattice panels (the kind you can't really see through):

here

Or the equivalent with spikes (metposts) if you need to fix into the lawn/earth.

You could paint the screen first with ome of the garden shades range.

@GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat. Yes exactly that. It's 6 panels down the length of the garden. Spans the patio and flower bed.

@GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat possibly an idea to secure something to the patio but then not sure how I'd deal with the panels which are along our new flower bed. The patio is only two of the panels and the rest are the flower bed.

It possibly is for more light to their garden. It's not blocking any light for us and will probably allow more light to theirs as that side of our garden gets the most sun.

Those suggesting trellis or bamboo screen - how would you attach this or keep it up without hammering onto their fence?

Could you talk to them, and ask to paint your side with the same colour? That'd make it look a bit better.

Plant bamboo?

Maybe it would be cheaper to offer to replace the fence panels for the taller size if they easily slot in and out of the concrete posts. Or at least the first 3 of 6 to give privacy nearest the house.

I doubt they'll go for it but worth a try?! Quite frustrating (£££ on a fence that isn't your responsibility) but instantly effective
You would end up spending the money on ineffective 'solutions' regardless.

Perhaps tell them you're looking to plant lleylandii on your side (don't!) to restore the privacy and it'll likely grow slightly taller than 6ft

Why would people not want privacy in their own garden?! I'm living with a too-short fence (long story involving a relative) that I immediately topped with trellis. I've finally managed to cover the majority on both sides with evergreen climbers but it's taken 3-4 years to get decent coverage.

I'm not sure they'd go for us offering the replace the fence seeing as he's just bought these brand new panels and has been out there painting them the last few days. Think he's probably quite happy with his plan to let more light into his garden. I however am not as they will be able to look straight into the seating area of our patio so we will now be overlooked.

I'm considering bamboo in pots to at least shield the patio section. Does anyone know if a specific type is needed?

I would buy some large pots and plant pyracantha or another evergreen plant in them . If you place a large bamboo stake in each pot you can attach expanding trellises to it. I would only buy cheap ones because the pyracantha or other plant can be trained to form its own screen, if you buy 6 ft ones and just keep taking the tops out they will form a hedge.