Boundary ideas

[SmileAndNod]

We are thinking of buying a corner plot new build house. DH is worried that as this is near the footpath people will walk willy nilly over our garden. We asked the developers if we could have something to mark out our garden as not public land. They want us to pay &1200 for railings?

So my question is, if we managed to buy the house, would you bother putting anything around the corner and if so, what?And would planning permission be required?

I do have a boundary diagram if it helps (from our solicitor) but I wasnt sure if I am allowed to share it.

Unless it's a very high traffic route I'd just dig a border and start growing a hedge. Even when very small it will mark it out as your property.

Berberis- the variety with the long, sharp barbs.

What about one of those nice wide spreading flowering cherry trees. Easier to maintain than a hedge and some are quite low growing.

I am liking the idea of some flowering cherry trees - though I would need to check as I'm sure I read something about trees in the contracts we are about to sign. Maybe that was chopping them down.

So you don't need permission to plant a small hedge then? Can you tell we are so new to this?!

Putting in a low fence or hedge would be less than £1200. Or some large stones or plants around the edge.

You could see how it goes and add things in if needed later.

Yes I agree re the cost. I'm not sure how much of an issue it will be, so am loathe to spend out loads of cash that could be better spent on other things. I would also prefer nor to feel caged in!

If the house is freehold, you can do what you please with your fences or hedging (almost anything). It’s only problematic if it’s a leasehold Property and many rules have been imposed.

From experience of having a corner plot, a hedge + a tree is a nice idea. People won’t traipse over your front garden and you might get a better sense of privacy with the greenery out the front.

It is freehold but I've just checked the contract and we're not allowed to put anything within our boundary between the front and side of the house and the road. To include fences , screens, walls and hedges. This restriction lasts 5 years

I thought that we might finally have a bit of freedom not renting but apparently not.

Developers sometimes put in restrictions like this to keep the area looking nice whilst they are still building and selling other plots.

If this development is nearing the end then it's unlikely they'll notice. If what you do enhances the look of the house then it's unlikely they'll care. But if it means a lot to you to be able to do it then you could ask for the clause to be removed given you've not officially bought it yet.

I would definitely attempt to plant something on the boundary. We don't have a corner plot, but our grass leads straight on to the footpath. There is a fence alongside each side boundary, so no reason for people to come onto the grass. However the amount of people who allow their dogs onto the grass to go to the toilet is ridiculous! We have plans to plant a border in the spring.
With a corner plot I imagine you will have dogs and people crossing your garden.
Could you ask for the clause to be removed before sale? If you present some options they may agree, especially as they have already kind of agreed to the railings, so can't be that worried about the clause.

Yes it's a new development with about 5 years left of building.

It's the dog fouling aspect that worries us. We have small children and whilst they wouldn't be allowed to play near the road they do like to help with cutting grass and keeping things tidy etc. We worm our dog but realise that not all people do

Apparently they cannot refuse 'reasonable reqyests' but they can charge for getting their solicitors to provide permission.

I think asking our solicitor to get the clause amended (though it's in the land registry contract) might be the way forward? Have attached the clause for info.

DH is spitting feathers this morning!

If they were willing to provide a railing then preumably they would not object to a low impact feature? As pp say is yours the first or last phase? Once they have sold the last house, no one will care!

You could ask for permission now and say you won't proceed to exchange until they've provided written confirmation FOC.

Is that a covenant or condition of the planning permission? You might still get away with non permanent structures, such as plant filled troughs or low level lawn edging fencing.

LIZS, that’s clever. A plant-filled trough isn’t technically a fixture :) Although not cheap to get a few of those either.

OP, I wouldn’t proceed unless that clause gets sorted before exchange. On our corner plot, we’ve got a hedge to the side and an in and out drive at the front but we don’t have a gate. Kids run across the drive most days on the way to or from school It’s annoying.

We had the corner plot of a new build and put a cast iron railing fence round. It was about £1000. We also had that clause but loads had put up railings and the developers never bothered about it. They even had railings round the show house.

It was good for stopping dogs and kids balls as they tended to play on the road in front of our house.

This was ours. Just taken it off google maps. We sold it a few years ago now.