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Original poster

Fencing query

11 replies

Boogirlgirl · 26/08/2023 11:09

Hi this is on behalf of a friend.
He lives in detached house. On one side of front garden is neighbour driveway but my friend owns the piece of garden directly adjacent to it.
My friend wants to build a low fence on his side of the garden which will face on one side of neighbours driveway.
At the moment, there's no real division except a couple of shrubs and my friend is concerned that if he builds his fence the neighbours may struggle to open their car door. Neighbours have a massive driveway but seem to park right up against my friends side so he wanted a fence so he can block out some of the view of their cars. Is he allowed to do this?

OP posts:
Cotswoldbee · 26/08/2023 11:13

As long as there is no covenant about fences out the front then go ahead.
An alternative is a proper hedge.
If the neighbours have plenty of room then they will just move over, would not give it a moment's thought.

Seeline · 26/08/2023 11:20

You can generally have a fence up to 1m in height adjacent to a highway without needing planning permission. It's 2m elsewhere. Depending on the layout he may be restricted to 1m (this allows drivers to have a view of pedestrians when existing the drive and vice versa).

Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 26/08/2023 11:26

Cotswoldbee · 26/08/2023 11:13

As long as there is no covenant about fences out the front then go ahead.
An alternative is a proper hedge.
If the neighbours have plenty of room then they will just move over, would not give it a moment's thought.

Thank you, don't think there's any covenants. Do you know how he would find out?

OP posts:
Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 26/08/2023 11:27

Seeline · 26/08/2023 11:20

You can generally have a fence up to 1m in height adjacent to a highway without needing planning permission. It's 2m elsewhere. Depending on the layout he may be restricted to 1m (this allows drivers to have a view of pedestrians when existing the drive and vice versa).

Thank you, no it wouldn't block views onto the road. He only wants it to be about 4 foot high, just to add a little privacy and to block the view of all the cars when he is in his living room

OP posts:
Seeline · 26/08/2023 11:28

Covenants would be on his deeds. If he hasn't got a copy, he can download a copy from land registry. He needs the written but, not just the plan.

Seeline · 26/08/2023 11:29

1m is about 3'3", so 4' may be too high.

Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 26/08/2023 11:52

Seeline · 26/08/2023 11:29

1m is about 3'3", so 4' may be too high.

Thanks, I think even hip height would be better than nothing

OP posts:
Cotswoldbee · 26/08/2023 13:05

A knee-rail with shrubs underneath makes a good barrier without blocking completely.
Did this at our previous house to stop the postie and paperboys walking across the garden (trampling plants in the process) and instead had to go back up the path.

Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 26/08/2023 13:25

Cotswoldbee · 26/08/2023 13:05

A knee-rail with shrubs underneath makes a good barrier without blocking completely.
Did this at our previous house to stop the postie and paperboys walking across the garden (trampling plants in the process) and instead had to go back up the path.

Yes that sounds like a good idea. Just worried that even a knee high fence would stop neighbour opening car door fully

OP posts:
GasPanic · 26/08/2023 14:04

Seems hard to see how a 3ft fence would give any privacy at all.

I would grow a hedge.

Seeline · 26/08/2023 14:32

The NDN has no right to be opening his car door over other people's land.

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