Green-fingered Brits have been warned that sprucing up your garden this year could cost you thousands.
Garden fences are a popular choice for people who want some privacy from their neighbours, especially as we’re going into garden party and barbecue season – but, they can also be a common cause of dispute.
An expert has warned that failing to abide by one small rule could see you forced to fork out £20,000 in fines.
Sean Bunyan, from Eurocell, said that installing your fencing higher than the maximum allowance can leave you with a ‘hefty’ fine.
He told BirminghamLive: ‘Failure to gain planning permission can trigger a sequence of events that could lead to a £20,000 fine or more.
‘It’s important for people to do their research before they commit to starting any work.’
The maximum height is two metres and if you want to build it higher, you will need to acquire planning permission before doing so.
The law actually states that a fence can be as high as 100 metres, but only if proper planning permits have been obtained – any fence under two metres does not require a permit.
If it’s adjacent to a highway used by vehicles (or highway footpaths), you will need planning permission to build a fence higher than 1 metre.
Beaton’s Building Supplies have also chimed in to dispel a common myth when it comes to fencing.
Despite it being a ‘common belief’ that the fence to the right of your garden is the one you’re responsible for, this is actually not true.
They advised that the best way to determine which side of the fence is yours is to refer to your house deeds, Land Registry, or the Title Plan.
The company also added: ‘If you live in a listed building, the rules for erecting a fence are different.
‘Regardless of the height of your fence, you will need to obtain planning permission from your local authority before building it.
‘This is because listed buildings have special protection and regulations that must be adhered to when making any changes or alterations.’
The warning comes after an elderly woman was forced to demolish her three-foot picket fence in December 2023 after she was threatened by the council with a £1,000 fine – because one neighbour complained.
Margaret Rose Hale, 72, was devastated to tear down the fence after a visit from a ‘rude’ council officer who told her she was violating planning laws.
The pensioner said the fence was ‘for safety’ and had allowed her dog, Benji, to run around outside without escaping.
She claimed other dogs had defecated on her garden since it was removed from her bungalow in Bracknell, Berkshire.
Mrs Hale retrospectively applied for planning permission, but her application was refused and she was forced to tear down her small fence.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
