Does anyone know what type of profession for advice on this retaining fence/wall issue?

[DiggerDig]

What kind of professional would be best qualified to give advice on this problem please? A quantity surveyor? A structural engineer? A fence expert? An architect?

Object is to avoid retraining structure collapse which can be dramatic and very destructive like this
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QsTXAtyDSlE

Two parcels of adjacent land 1 & 2. The land on Plot 2 was been artificially lowered by about 2 -3m (maybe more) so the new builds on it could have an extra floor.

The retaining 'wall' is one of those timber/wood retaining walls not brick.

The buildings on Plot 1 are very close to the retaining wood structure boundary. If the retaining wood fails and there was a fall of the soil, it's likely that the building would be damaged.

At the time the land was lowered there was a fence on the land between 1 and 2. The fence needs replacing and is very close to both the buildings on Plot 1 and the retaining wood structure.

The property owners of the houses on Plot 1 want advice about fence replacment - thing like can they put concrete posts or godfathers in or is there not enough soil? Will this affect drainage and cause risk of the whole retaining structure failing? The existing wooden fence posts have rotted much faster than before probably because water is draining out through the retaining fence or its wetter than it would be when there was just land. Is there an alternative

What kind of professional would be able to give the best advice about risks of different types of fencing so close to this boundary and at the same time have the best sort of fencing that won't rot away?

Sorry link didn't work
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QsTXAtyDSlE

Fence replacement would be by a fence company. But it sounds a bit hazardous with the drop the other side. The company might need a platform on there lower plot to do the fence safely.

The retaining structure should be entirely on the lower plot's land. Where exactly the boundary is should be clarified, possibly via the determined boundary process through the land registry. That needs all party agreement.

The safety of the retaining structure is the responsibility of whoever owns it. A structural engineer could guage how safe it is (best to get the original design from building control documentation). If recent I'd be surprised if a wooden retaining structure passed building control for a 3m excavation. Worth checking.

If the retaining structure appears unsafe then hopefully the higher properties have legal cover on their hoover insurance and can instruct solicitors.

Nothing may happen though until the structure fails, then there is a claim for the damage.

Thank taking the time to post @Rollercoaster1920 but that didn't answer my question which is what is the best profession to give advice on the safety and consequences of various types of fence post etc given it it so close to the boundary.

Are you saying that is a structural engineer? would that be better then a surveyor or an architect?

Structural engineer. Unless I’m misunderstanding- you need a retaining wall not a fence?

Both the fence and the retaining wood wall are already there.

What is required is advice about making changes to the fence safely given it is so close to the retaining wood wall including whether there are ways to protect the posts from rotting that won't interfere with drainage through the retaining structure - that kind of thing.

If I was the owner of property 1 I’d be getting very nervous of that timber retaining wall. I’d be questioning why it was allowed to be built in timber!
I'd want a structural engineer to be looking at the wall.
What fence is there currently? Fence posts aren’t put in very deep.
(I’m a surveyor)

Thanks @Myfridgeiscool - so it's a structural enginer then? What is the difference between what a surveyor would be able to advise about here as compared to a structural engineer? Sorry I'm very clueless

I don't know what fence posts are there now - its not my property. It looks just like a normal fence with normal wooden posts. On a quick image search roughly this or similar except with wooden gravel type boards along the bottom.

https://fenceworksnw.com/service/wood-fencing/#galleryimg-1

You need a geotechnical engineer for retaining walls. We have just had to have one out and a report on concern over a steep bank that is not retained properly. A structural engineer said they did not cover it.

@mumonthehill woah! never even heard of that one. thanks for the advice.

Honestly we went down a google hole for weeks before we found it!!!! Be warned the inspection and report has not come cheap....

Yep! A Geotechnical Engineer is what you need.
www.google.com/search?q=geotechnical+engineer&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

Ah sorry I did totally misunderstand!

Agreed.
I was one. DH is one.

For the fence, a commercial safety fencing contractor.