Fence problem, can you advise pls?

Mankysteve

I would dig out a copy of the planning regs and see if you are genuinely breaking the rules.

trumpton

You could apply for retrospective planning permission, but this will be expensive. I would do as suggested and make a comprehensive list and photos of surrounding properties. It may be that they ask you to remove it but do not take steps to actually enforce it.

We are in a similar position with a garden above street level - we built a front fence which is about 6 ft high, not realising that you need planning permission for anything above a metre that faces the road. Like you, lots of other houses have done the same without problems.

gavcradd

Oops - I put in 6ft fences last summer at the front and never applied for any permission. No one has complained (yet), and I don't think they would either.

Is there a length of time that has to expire before I'll be legally OK to keep them up even if someone does complain?

planning_officer

Sorry, but I think most posters above are missing the point here. The Council officer is only considering whether it requires planning permission at the moment - he is not assessing the planning merits of the fence (i.e. whether it is acceptable or not). As it exceeds 1m in height and is adjacent to a highway, then it needs planning permission. However, if lots of other properties have similar fences, it should be fine to submit a planning application and get it approved (it doesn't matter if someone objects - as long as it's in keeping with the area and does not present any highway safety issues, it should be fine). It's not that expensive - £150 and you can easily do the plans yourself for a fence.

planning_officer

gavcradd wrote: »

Is there a length of time that has to expire before I'll be legally OK to keep them up even if someone does complain?

Yes, four years.