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Original poster

Neighbours new fence

39 replies

Believing8nSanta · 05/04/2024 16:28

My neighbours installed a new fence last month. Part of the fence maybe around 3 meters is above 2 meters - it is 2.3 to be precise. Now I wouldn't ordinarily care because it's a nice fence but it's partly blocking the sunlight in my garden and I'm annoyed they installed it without asking if it is OK to be higher. The confusing bit is because there side has turf and ours has tiles theirs is higher so possibly on their end is lower than 2.3.

Would it be too pety for me to report them? Would they even be able to do anything about it if the fence is 2 meter on their side?

OP posts:
TheSnowyOwl · 05/04/2024 16:31

If the fence is on their property and below the requirements (usually 3’ for front and 6’ for back) then there is nothing you can report them for.

DrySherry · 05/04/2024 16:33

I would feel pretty grateful if my neighbours put up a nice new fence personally. We get fed up of fixing it on one side because they never bother

PotatoPudding · 05/04/2024 16:33

How much sunlight is it blocking and how much more would you usually have at this time of year? Is that extra bit of sunlight worth the potential expense and bad relationship with your neighbours?

K0OLA1D · 05/04/2024 16:36

If it is lower on their side there is nothing to report. Why would you cause issues with neighbours over a bit of sunlight. You lose it what, half an hour earlier than you would normally?

PotatoPudding · 05/04/2024 16:36

TheSnowyOwl · 05/04/2024 16:31

If the fence is on their property and below the requirements (usually 3’ for front and 6’ for back) then there is nothing you can report them for.

2.3 metres is taller than 6’

K0OLA1D · 05/04/2024 16:38

PotatoPudding · 05/04/2024 16:36

2.3 metres is taller than 6’

Show quote history

On ops side. Might not be on the neighbours

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 05/04/2024 16:40

TheSnowyOwl · 05/04/2024 16:31

If the fence is on their property and below the requirements (usually 3’ for front and 6’ for back) then there is nothing you can report them for.

Incorrect

6'6" fact ie 2 meters back

Most likely it is 2meters from their level. No one is going to bother re an inch as fenecers cant get it to the last inch

RogueFemale · 05/04/2024 16:40

I think the rule is that the fence would be measured (by planning enforcement) from your neighbour's side. I have a similar neighbour...

ILoveLegDay · 05/04/2024 16:41

If they're standard panels they are going to be allowed- if they are 6' or whatever the measurement of a standard panel is in their garden. I'd love a higher fence from our neighbours.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 05/04/2024 16:41

PotatoPudding · 05/04/2024 16:36

2.3 metres is taller than 6’

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2mters is allowed ie just over 6 foot and 6.5 innches

idontlikealdi · 05/04/2024 16:42

2.3m is c 7.5ft.

PotatoPudding · 05/04/2024 16:42

K0OLA1D · 05/04/2024 16:38

On ops side. Might not be on the neighbours

Show quote history

I’d be surprised if there’s half a metre’s difference (a foot and a half) on the other side.

K0OLA1D · 05/04/2024 16:44

PotatoPudding · 05/04/2024 16:42

I’d be surprised if there’s half a metre’s difference (a foot and a half) on the other side.

Show quote history

There is between me and my neighbours. There is a big step down on the front, but it's fenced at the back. I have 6ft panels along the back and possibly 4.5 ones along their side. You can't see them stood from their side behind it but you can see us head and shoulders our side.

Original poster
Believing8nSanta · 05/04/2024 16:44

There is one panel from the last fence so you can measure the difference and it is clear it is above the regulated height.

I can't measure it from their end I'm totally guessing on the turf situation.

You can exactly see how much it's blocking as I said one panel is still old so I can see where the sunlight would be compared to the shady area and it's a lot. If it wasn't affecting the sun flow into the garden I wouldn't even be asking as I don't care about the rest really.

I'm not grateful for anything - it's their fence and also the old fence was absolutely fine it wasn't broken or anything so I'm not sure why I need to be grateful for having a new fence that is more than 30 cm higher than the old making my garden darker than before.

OP posts:
Original poster
Believing8nSanta · 05/04/2024 16:47

Btw it's irrelevant how tall is the panel as it has a concrete Base adding to the height.

OP posts:
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 05/04/2024 16:51

Believing8nSanta · 05/04/2024 16:47

Btw it's irrelevant how tall is the panel as it has a concrete Base adding to the height.

What are you trying to say now?
Is the "fence" 6 foot and I've never met anyone that does not inc the height of the wooden/contrete weather board in or or are you taking fence as in your own terms ie minus the weatherboard??

Either way, no big deat as just over 6 ft 6 ins allowed and it may be well within that from their side of the garden

DrySherry · 05/04/2024 16:52

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me, if as you say it's a standard 6ft panel sat on a concrete weatherboard.

ClematisBlue49 · 05/04/2024 17:10

I can understand why you are upset. Even if it is within the rules, they must have seen that it would cast a shadow over your garden, and even if it didn't, they should at least have had the courtesy to let you know in advance. I don't think there is any point in reporting it, but is there anything you could do to raise the level of your garden where the fence is? Adding a decked platform could restore the level of light to what it was before, potentially. I know you shouldn't have to do it, but it sounds as though sitting in the sun in that spot is important to you, and I would prioritise your quality of life.

sweetpickle2 · 05/04/2024 17:18

Have you considered speaking to them first? Why would you go straight to "report"?

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 05/04/2024 17:20

ClematisBlue49 · 05/04/2024 17:10

I can understand why you are upset. Even if it is within the rules, they must have seen that it would cast a shadow over your garden, and even if it didn't, they should at least have had the courtesy to let you know in advance. I don't think there is any point in reporting it, but is there anything you could do to raise the level of your garden where the fence is? Adding a decked platform could restore the level of light to what it was before, potentially. I know you shouldn't have to do it, but it sounds as though sitting in the sun in that spot is important to you, and I would prioritise your quality of life.

Fair enough but them telling OP. Have you considered that OP may have had works don and never told them? It works both ways, just saying

Original poster
Believing8nSanta · 05/04/2024 17:36

@ClematisBlue49 thank you :) appreciate the friendly response and advise!

Most of the rest ... you really need to chill out ... gosh some responses are so ridiculous and borderline offensive. I understand some people are bored but just enjoy a g&t, do something you like and have a lovely weekend!

BYEeeee

OP posts:
dishymyfishy · 05/04/2024 17:37

"The confusing bit is because there side has turf and ours has tiles theirs is higher "

Fence height is measured from the ground it sits on so if their ground level is higher than yours then it is probably the correct 2m height on their side and so there is nothing you can do about it. And why go immediately to reporting them rather than talking to them? Seems extreme.

I have previously (and never again) lived on a street on a slope meaning our 6ft fence as measured in our garden was only 4ft for the neighbour due to us being lower, and the same on the other side of our garden, 4ft for us but 6ft for the other neighbour. No privacy whatsoever as the neighbours could see right over and loved to look. The gardens had been levelled flat by the builders so everyone on that street had the same issue.

As for adding a decked platform on your side as suggested you can but you are only allowed to increase the height by 30cm before you need planning permission.

K0OLA1D · 05/04/2024 17:39

sweetpickle2 · 05/04/2024 17:18

Have you considered speaking to them first? Why would you go straight to "report"?

Because its mn! People cannot possibly have conversations with their neighbours!!!

Crazycrazylady · 05/04/2024 19:27

Given that's it's already paid for and installed, I can't see them changing it op. Anything around thr 6fr mark is allowed under the rules so technically you don't have anything to complain about I'm afraid even if it's a bit crap that you have less light now

DrySherry · 05/04/2024 20:01

I think I am starting to see why the neighbour might have chosen to stretch the limit of the fence height ;)