Help! Neighbours fence changes detrimental to us

[Someshire768]

Hi 👋 Hopefully someone can advise...
Our driveway runs alongside our next door neighbours garden with most of its length (about 5/6) running alongside the back garden and the front section of our drive (roughly 1/6 of the length) running alongside their front garden. Our driveway and their back garden is seperated by a wooden fence. The front section has no fence or wall and the garden is comprised of a bed with very low shrubs. The lack of wall on the front part of our drive ensures that we can see the road ahead when pulling out.
Our neighbour intends to have the fences reinstalled so that the front garden is fenced in to become part of the back garden, meaning there would be fence the entire length of our driveway. This will make it very difficult and dangerous for us pulling off the drive- we would be pulling out blind on one side. I'm opposed to them doing this.
Do I have any rights to ask them not to do this as it would make our driveway unsafe?
The road is narrow with just enough width for 2 cars and our driveway is especially narrow too- so no room to swan-neck when manouvring to increase visibility when emerging. On top of this practical issue it would certainly reduce the aesthetic appeal for all neighbours surrounding with the outlook of a dull wooden fence right upto the pavement and no greenery but this is probably technically irrelevant.
See my terrible arial view drawing below for illustration. We are number 2 they are number 1.
We have not yet expressed our concerns/objection and work has not yet begun but we want to get our facts straight before we respond. Polite friendly relationship. No previous issues and they seem like a nice family. We dont know them well as we are quite reserved and tend to keep to ourselves.

I believe that fences at the front of the house should not be higher than 3ft so you can still see over it when you drive out. Their back fence can be 6ft tall but they must keep the front part lower.

I would check your deeds to see if they say anything and talk to highways and planning at your councils

Can you put one of those mirrors up across the road so you can see what is coming?

This is your answer.

Any fence or wall in your front garden or beside a driveway must generally not exceed 1 metre. If you wish to build above this limit, especially near roads or footpaths, planning permission is required.

I'd suggest talking to your neighbour and explaining your situation regarding using your driveway. Otherwise they may install a tall fence or grow tall shrubs etc.

The fence would be on your left as you come out of the drive.
so you have a clear view (same as now) of traffic coming up the road. Once it’s clear to your right you can “peep and creep” til you can see past the fence.
Plus is there a pavement at the bottom of the drive?

Unfortunately there wouldn't be anywhere suitable to put a mirror as another neighbours house is opposite the driveway and would mean a mirror slap bang on the front of their house.

They may not be allowed to put a fence beyond the front wall of their house (think there is a name for this but can't remember!) or completely fence in their garden - again check planning regs with local council.

Even worse, you could hit a small child on the pavement obscured by the fence. I agree I think generally high fences aren’t allowed at the front.

Oh no...rumbled...The fence is actually on the right, I augmented the road layout keeping the main points in an attempt to make it less identifiable (I hadn't anticipated the left/right thing when I altered the layout-doh!)
So right turn is worse as need to cross traffic coming the other way.
I don't think it's reasonable to need to sound a horn when pulling off the drive when this has not been necessary before- do you think its a reasonable thing to ask a neighbour to do permanently going forward? I can imagine the noise would cause irritation for our neighbours.
I get what you're saying that it would mitigate the risk but in my experience its a strategy you would use in limited circumstances (I've only ever needed to do this as few times in over 15 years of driving). It's far from ideal.

Brilliant diagram 👏

Oh God, I hadn't even thought of that! D;
All of the houses on our road have kids under 12 years old (most are under 6 years old) and there are often various kids riding on our road as its a cul-de-sac and so has less through traffic. It could happen easily. I always warn my children about cars pulling off of driveways and not to assume a driver knows they are there.

Sorry to answer your question at the end of you post...
Yes there's a pavement that runs alongside parallel to the road so I have to cross the pavement to get onto the road. The pavement is level with the road (crossover) of that's of any relevance.

Looks to me like they are putting a fence across the front of your house ??? What benefit is this to them ?

Thanks to those who have replied recommending checking with planning office/local council. That's a great shout and I'll get onto them tomorrow to find out more :)
Sounds as though (from what's been said) there's restrictions in place regarding fences near roads for this very reason and hopefully they can give some guidance.

You need to speak to your local council about the permitted height of the fence and also about the possible placement of a mirror and signage.

I assume the fence is to the side of the OP's house. The front is where the trees are on the diagram.

A quick Google tells me this. I double checked with a property lawyer website.

As others say, check with the council. If it’s a new build estate there may be rules re adding fences - covenants forbidding it. So check that too.

You can get fence panels that reduce in height so hopefully they’d consider a lower front panel but with the higher panels to the side of your house. You can always grow plants up the fence to reduce the stark wood look.

No...The fence is on the side of our long skinny drive (which fits 2 cars in tandem). The change would be extending the length of the existing fence (replacing with a new longer fence) so that it is the full length of our drive (see coloured lines on diagram).
I think they are going to update the style of their other fences and thought it would be a good idea to incorporate that bit of land so it can be turf/tiled over which is easier to maintain than shrubs (its gets lots of weeds in the bed). They don't like gardening (each to their own) so this is easier for them but not good for us.

A fence or wall can’t be higher than 1m within (2m?) of a road, something like that.

House behind me bought the land beside me from the property developer but there was a hedge/fence dividing their back garden and the land. They submitted a planning application to remove it and build a wall around the whole plot. They were told it couldn't be more than 1m as it would obscure my drive and the junction coming out of our street. They also had to step it back so that it was 2m from the road.

Thank you! I don't think they will want a 1m fence, they would lose privacy and it would make the rear of their property easily accessible to "uninvited guests". This might put them off the idea.

In my last house the neighbours did something similar, but the panel nearest the road had a slope to it, so it started at 5' (same as all the rest of the fence) tapering down to about 2'6'' so that there was no blind spot for either of us emerging onto the road.

Something like this

That's reassuring. I'm glad that the planning rules in place were able to prevent your driveway being obscured :) normally I'm not a fan of beaurocracy as we have so much red tape in the UK but in these instances it has value!
That makes complete sense because the fence is a standard (full) height and I reckon if I were to get a tape measure out it would be 2m from the pavement- so this has been considered when the builder has positioned the existing fence.

Have any of the other houses got fences or tall shrubs on their drives

In the UK, you can erect a high fence in your front garden—but there are specific legal height limits depending on its location. Here's a clearer breakdown:
🚧 General Height Limits (Under "Permitted Development")

• Next to a road or vehicle-used pavement: Your fence can't exceed 1 metre (~3.3 ft) in height above ground level without planning permission. (lawhive.co.uk)
• Elsewhere in the garden (e.g. within your property boundary but away from public roads): Up to 2 metres(~6.6 ft) is allowed without needing permission. (idealhome.co.uk)

🛑 Can You Go Higher? Yes, but only if you apply for planning permission through your local planning authority. Justifiable reasons might include:

• Privacy or security needs.
• Established design in your area.
• Your property is in a conservation area, has special local restrictions, or is a listed building. (lawhive.co.uk, getagent.co.uk, blbsolicitors.co.uk)

But check local covenants or Article 4 directives—some estates already restrict fence heights regardless of the national rules. (planningportal.co.uk) ⚠️ Penalties for Breaking the Rules

• Local councils can issue enforcement notices requiring you to reduce or remove a non-compliant fence.
• Fines can reach £2,500 initially, and escalate up to £20,000 in serious or persistent cases under the Town & Country Planning Order. (idealhome.co.uk)

✅ Tips to Stay Compliant (or Achieve Greater Height)

• Trellis or lattice extensions: Might help add a bit of height; but combined height must stay within legal limits. (getagent.co.uk)
• Hedges: There’s no national height cap—though councils may intervene if they're excessively tall or create nuisances. (idealhome.co.uk)
• Split-level design: Use a low 1m wall/fence adjacent to the road plus a higher screen behind it—government guidance suggests this approach works legally.

✅ Summary Table LocationMax Height (Without Permission) Next to public road/pavement 1 metre (3.3 ft) Elsewhere in front garden Up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) Above those heights Planning permission required 📝 What You Should Do Next

1. Measure carefully—fence height starts from ground level adjacent to the fence.
2. Check your title deeds for any restrictive covenants.
3. Talk to your neighbours—they might object anyway.
4. Consult your local council planning dept if considering anything over the limits or if in a conservation area/listed building.
5. If needed, apply for planning permission (likely a straightforward "householder" application).

Bottom Line

• ✅ You can put up a taller front garden fence—but only up to 1 m next to a road, or 2 m elsewhere, without needing planning permission.
• ❗ Anything above those heights needs official approval—non-compliance risks fines and enforcement action.