Fencing and Planning Permission Issues NEED SOME ADVICE

[Deleted User]

Hello

So my partner and I recently moved into a new home. We have an issue with the left side of our garden as we are next to a school car park and there is only a see through black security fence up that sections our garden off from the car park. The car park is an open plan car park so anyone can walk into it and look into our garden etc. This is a nightmare in terms of privacy and we literally have 0 privacy. We also have dogs and are always constantly worried someone is going to jump over and steal them. We have spoken to the land owners as we are shared ownership and they have said we cannot attach anything to the black fence they erected and the only option we have is to erect our own fence inside our boundaries. The issue is even if we go up to maximum height allowed without planning permission anyone can see still see in our garden as the car park is raised above our garden. In order to block it out completely we need to cover up to 9FT high. We could also possibly look at planting hedges all the way along however these would need to cover 30 metres of garden so isn't going to be cheap.

Has anyone got any suggestions on what we should do? If we was to apply for planning permission what's the likelihood they just turn us away etc

Grenage

Bare root hedging is quite cheap - a lot cheaper than fencing.  If you don't mind trimming it once a year and can wait 3-5 years for it to grow - it's a win.

Davesnave

How did you envisage resolving this 'nightmare in terms of privacy' when you viewed the property? It seems the situation is standard and nothing specifically to do with being a shared ownership property. People are not usually allowed to attach stuff to others' fences, so the advice you've been given about that is correct.

Grenage is right, bare root hedging is cheap and available mail order at this time of year and cheaper than fencing. You have evergreen or deciduous options Here's a supplier whose web site also gives helpful advice on planning & planting:

https://www.hedgenursery.co.uk/bare-root-hedging-trees-a-z.html

There are plenty other on-line options, but demand this year has been higher than usual and stocks vary.

One thing's for sure, a 9' fence is a potential serious accident waiting to happen without the sort of construction standards seen on the side of motorways etc, which is why planning must be sought for anything over 2m.

princeofpounds

I think your planning stands a decent chance of being accepted, precisely because the neighbouring land is raised. Read your local planning documents for policies that relate to fences, and you can either consult with a local planner (often for a fee) or a planning consultant, if you like.

If you apply and you do get turned down on a technicality, you can always apply again with a revised scheme, it doesn't penalise you.

Soot2006

Definitely apply for the planning permission. I see a lot of very high fences near car parks, schools, etc, esp where the fencing needs to start at a lower point than the neighbouring land.   It sounds as thought it would be worth paying to have a proper quality fence installed in your situation. Concrete posts up against the black fence, concrete gravel boards & panels. How does the level difference work e.g is there currently a retaining wall in place, or does the black fence act as a retainer?  If you can't do the fence install yourself, beg, borrow or steal the money and you'll have forgotten all about it when you're sitting in your private garden this summer.

And plant hedging too. For the birds and insects. Can never have too much hedging, but that's a personal preference

Davesnave

The matter of planning permission isn't necessarily the issue here though, so much as the cost of almost 100' of specialist fencing. The sort of materials needed aren't a Sunday morning purchase down at B&Q!

The OP says: "We could also possibly look at planting hedges all the way along however these would need to cover 30 metres of garden so isn't going to be cheap."

A beech or hornbeam hedge will be a hell of a lot cheaper than any built alternative. Not instant, of course, but it's the well-heeled who can afford instant and the OP says they're shared ownership..

kdotdotdotdot

No idea about the cost of 30m of fencing, but if you'd like a lovely garden with lots of wildlife, then a hedge is a good bet.  Just make sure that you're prepared to maintain it (trim it down).