Fence rules!

[Scarlett]

I live next door to a co-op. We all have waist-high rustic stone walls separating our gardens. The houses are all victorian and by the sea. The Co-op have left their garden to become a jungle which I have complained about since the bushes and weeds all grow over my wall.
Today I have noticed that they have men in their garden cutting all the jungle back. They tell me that the Co-op are putting up a 2.5m fence. I think this will actually really spoil the small gardens we have and will block out my view.

Is there anything I can do about this, or is anyone entitled to put up a fence of any height if they so wish?!

[teag1rl]

Hi Scarlett.
They can put in fence up to 2 metres without planning permission so long as it isn't adjacent to the highway, in which case it would be 1 metre.
It might block out the view-but by the sounfd of it the view was moslty of bushes and weeds, so might be a bonus!
If they have applied to the planning authority to put up 2.5 metre fence, you should have been consulted as a neighbour.

[Scarlett]

thanks a lot. Is there a website or anywhere official I can quote this? I have a feeling they are putting the fence up to stop their weeds growing over my wall and hence stop my complaining!!

[Buenchico]

You've asked for a web reference. This is the 'official' website for planning information:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpu b/en/1011888237213.html

Chris

[buildersmate]

This Government site provides a booklet called the Planning - A Guide for Householders
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planni ngandbuilding/pdf/144827
Look at Section D on fences.
It applies in England only - Scotland, Wales and NI may follow this but they do their own thing on Planning these days.
This is an interpretation of the primary legislation that was enacted many moons ago that covers this. Somewhere buried in one of the Town & Country Planning Acts will be the actual wording, but I don't know where. Frankly this 'rule' is well-known and you shouldn't need to quote them more than this booklet.