Retrospective Planning Permission - Fencing Height?

McTaggus

Hi There,

I know boundary and fencing issues are probably one of the most posted about topics known to the forum, however I was hoping to check whether anyone has had any experience of seeking retrospective planning permission for fencing over the legal height?

My lovely in-laws erected a solid wood fence, two years ago, which was precisely 2m high. They recently decided that they would like to install trellis on the top, so as to be able to grow rambling roses both from an aesthetic perspective, and also to provide some additional privacy from their neighbor who is currently building a second house in his back garden (behind their property).

Unfortunately, they did so without being informed of planning requirements for the fencing, and their neighbor has since made a complaint to the council about the extended height of the fence. Bless them, I know they probably should have checked in advance, but they are distraught by the aggressiveness of their neighbor (they are both in their mid-70’s) and by the whole situation.

I’m not suggesting the neighbor is in the wrong by stating they are in breach of planning, as clearly they are, but they are now trying to work through how to submit their planning request retrospectively to help with the greatest chance of success so they can put this all to bed.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experience of this, and able to at all guide on their likely chance of success? Details below:

Fence is 2m – has been in place for 2 years with no complaint
Trellis that has been added is 60cm high
Total height is 2.6m – therefore above the 2m limit

The distance from the fence to the property due to be built is 8ft, and there would be no loss of light as a result of the trellis being installed (apparently – I know that may be a subjective assessment).

The property being built does not even yet have foundations laid, and has been “under development” now for three years (not sure if this would have any bearing on possible outcomes).

The area is under Wiltshire Council.

Are there any key details that they should include in their application, aside from the dimensions of the addition to the fence – i.e. trying to help protect privacy while not encroaching on the right to light of the development property – or is that not necessary?

Really appreciate any help you lovely folk could possibly lend – I hate hearing the MIL quite so upset!!!!!

Thanks all in advance of any replies that can help!

mchale

http://www.leylandii.com/ just a thought tell neighbour you are thinking of planting some

Furts

I went in for Planning to increase the height of my boundary to 2250. This was passed without any objections - and it is a very visible boundary abutting a busy path.

I sense you may be making an issue over a minor matter. Go in for Planning if that is required by your Local authority. The worse case scenario is a refusal and the trellis is taken off the fence. This is easily within the capabilities of a handy person.

But also stop for a moment and reassure yourself over the practicality and safety of this issue. A 2600 high fence is a dangerous possibility in high winds or if it gets weighted down with the roses - which it will do. You may say the fence has been designed specifically for this purpose, but it is not me you have to convince but the Planners. A refusal on safety and common sense grounds is a likelihood.

McTaggus

Thank you very much for your help and guidance, it's greatly appreciated. I full appreciate the safety concerns, and also the need to convince the planners - as well as agreeing that it may seem to be a mountain out of a molehill! However, as MIL was in tears this evening, I just wanted to see if there was any advice in relation to the application that may help!

Again, sincerest thanks for taking the time to reply!

tired_dad

is there any precedence in the area? Other houses nearby with such trellis

moneyistooshorttomention

Maybe an alternative idea is having some large windowbox type wooden planter boxes made with trellis (of required height) fixed to the back of them and put several of these up against their fence?

I guess that would achieve the objective - ie of greater privacy for them. It wouldnt be a "fence" - it would be several "planter boxes";).

There may be other possible lateral thinking they could do on solving the privacy problem.

Errrm...possibly buying some well-grown trees (not leylandii obviously!) and planting a couple up against the fence. Trees that have grown on a few years before being purchased arent cheap - but that would be one thought. I'm wondering if they like those massive tree ferns for instance? Just done a quick google and they can be bought in sizes up to 6' high - and will grow eventually up to 20' tall.

I wish them well on this - their neighbour has got a bloomin' cheek to go garden-grabbing his garden for an extra house and then to complain about their, perfectly understandable, wish to maintain their privacy.:mad:.

Davesnave

Regardless of the height, rambling roses are a totally unsuitable thing to clothe a boundary fence with. Perhaps the neighbours got wind of their intentions, and if they did, I'm not surprised they objected. So would I.

Rambling, or climbing roses go everywhere and your folks would have little or no control over what they might do on the other side.

You talk about the neighbour's aggression, but that sort of rose is a classic passive-aggressive plant used in that context. Maybe they didn't think about or realise this.

(Tree ferns grow very slowly and aren't reliably hardy in many areas.)

moneyistooshorttomention

I've never thought of rambling roses as a "passive agressive" plant:rotfl:. Must admit I like roses and wouldnt mind them "wandering over" from a neighbouring garden personally. Ivy, on the other hand = rip out at once.

I did realise what "passive agressive" meant the other day - when I realised that the tree planted by my next door neighbour since I moved here is a leylandii. At that point I thought "Leylandii since I moved in - ah...now I know what they mean by 'passive agressive' ". I read of leylandiis as being described as "the plant someone who hates their neighbour gets" and thought "Bingo! - that's why she got it". It will "boomerang" in her direction first before it comes in my direction though:rotfl:.

*************

So - how fast do tree ferns grow? I don't know what parts of the country they wouldnt be suitable for - we dont know whereabouts OP lives. Even if there arent any in OP's vicinity - that doesnt necessarily mean they wouldnt do okay there I guess. In some areas most people just go for a very limited/boring selection of plants anyway :hello::whistle:.

I gather there are evergreen varieties of clematis though - perhaps they might be suitable to grow on a trellis?

Davesnave

Large tree ferns aren't often grown in nurseries because of their incredibly slow growth, so people rip them out of natural environments and ship them half way around the world. You could argue that this doesn't matter if the areas they come from are being de-forested anyway, but they're a lot less environmentally--friendly that the native grown leyland cypress you're so fond of deprecating.

Leylands are fine as hedges, if maintained correctly. We have one here between us and our only neighbour. It stays at 2m and we both trim it annually. It's been there around 20 years or more.

Western red cedar is better, though, because it shoots from old wood.

Furts

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I've never thought of rambling roses as a "passive agressive" plant:rotfl:. Must admit I like roses and wouldnt mind them "wandering over" from a neighbouring garden personally. Ivy, on the other hand = rip out at once.

I did realise what "passive agressive" meant the other day - when I realised that the tree planted by my next door neighbour since I moved here is a leylandii. At that point I thought "Leylandii since I moved in - ah...now I know what they mean by 'passive agressive' ". I read of leylandiis as being described as "the plant someone who hates their neighbour gets" and thought "Bingo! - that's why she got it". It will "boomerang" in her direction first before it comes in my direction though:rotfl:.

*************

So - how fast do tree ferns grow? I don't know what parts of the country they wouldnt be suitable for - we dont know whereabouts OP lives. Even if there arent any in OP's vicinity - that doesnt necessarily mean they wouldnt do okay there I guess. In some areas most people just go for a very limited/boring selection of plants anyway :hello::whistle:.

I gather there are evergreen varieties of clematis though - perhaps they might be suitable to grow on a trellis?

We are talking of older folks here. The problem with trellis is it is flimsy and short life. It will be fine provided climbing plants such as Clematis are not grown on it. If they are, the trellis starts rotting, the nails pull, it gets overloaded and maintenance becomes an issue.

Obviously trellis quality comes into this. Much is dire, but how many people seek out good quality fencing let alone trellis?

Nobody can put a time limit on this, but there is also the trimming and shaping that goes with the climbing plants. All round this is a bad idea for old folks who tend to want a maintenance free life style.

cyclonebri1

Your folks are at a time in life when the maintenance needs of the garden of the garden should be being reduced not increased.

I'd say as the trellis is up then leave it, but as you indicated and apply for PP, seems extravagant to be honest knowing the costs, but what ever you do dissuade them from planting anything, and especially something that will grow over the boundary.
I'm just picturing the inlaws on the top step trying to prune back the roses and...........:eek::eek: