Is there a way to install a fence over 2m without planning permission?
In the UK, installing a fence over 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) in height typically requires planning permission. The general rule, according to UK planning regulations, is that you can erect a fence up to 2 meters high without needing permission, provided the property does not have any specific restrictions like being a listed building or in a conservation area.
Before taking any action, it is a good idea to talk with your neighbours and get a sense of how they might respond to new fence panels, especially if your properties share a boundary and essential if your properties share a boundary.
However, if your fence borders a public road or footpath, the height limit without planning permission is reduced to 1 meter. If you want a fence taller than these limits, you would need to apply for planning permission from your local council.
What happens if I install a fence over 2m high without planning permission?
If you install a fence over 2 meters high without obtaining the necessary planning permission in the UK, several things could happen:
- Enforcement Notice: The local council can issue an enforcement notice if they become aware of the breach. This notice will require you to either apply for retrospective planning permission or take the fence down to comply with the regulations.
- Retrospective Planning Permission: You may apply for planning permission after the fence is erected. However, if the council rejects the application, you could be required to alter or remove the fence.
- Fines and Legal Action: If you do not comply with the enforcement notice, the council could take legal action, which may result in fines or further enforcement.
- Neighbour Complaints: Neighbours might report the issue if they are unhappy with the height of the fence, prompting the council to investigate.
Are there any hacks to get around planning permission for a fence over 2m high?
Not legally but there are ways to install a fence that can then be reduced in height if neighbours complain or if you receive an enforcement notice. Obviously this advice is not the correct way to go about installing a fence over 2m in height and this blog is not to be used as guidance.
If you do want to take the risk this is done by taking several steps.
- Use a well-treated heavy duty slotted timber post, Jacksons sell some perfect examples as per the link. These are usually available in lengths of around 2.7m up to 3.9m long. Remember that at 600mm should be installed in the ground and choose a post that has long guarantees and will not rot. 25 years is a nice example of a long guarantee.
- Choose a fence that is just under the 2m high mark. An example would be a gravel board at 140mm and 1.83m high panel giving a total height of 1.98m.
- At this point, you can choose a topper panel. It could be a small matching panel if privacy is a concern or a trellis topper panel that gives privacy. Another nice option is to choose a panel that is stacked, so it will look like a seamless fence. An example is Jacksons Venetian Hit and Miss fence panels. So, a gravel board at 140mm and stacking two Venetian Hit and miss panels of 0.907m high will give you total fence height of 1.97m. Adding another 0.907m panel will give a height of 2.877m or adding a small 0.607m panel will give a total height of 2.57m.
- The next step is to choose a heavy-duty timber post long enough. So, for a 2.57m high fence a 3.2m long post will suffice. Or for a 1.98m high fence with a 300mm trellis topper giving a total height of 2.28m then a 3m heavy duty post. For a 600mm topper then a 3.3m post for a 2.58m high fence.
- Install the fence in the usual fashion but use screws to add any capping so they can be easily removed in future.
- Hopefully, no one complains, and you are happy with your extra high fence.
The image above showcases a fence built using a 1.83m high panel with a gravel board at the base, topped with an additional 0.6m panel for extra height
What to Do If You Receive a Complaint About Your Fence?
If someone raises a concern or you are contacted about the height of your fence, you’ll need to either lower the fence or apply for Retrospective Planning Permission. To reduce the fence height, follow these simple steps:
- Carefully remove any capping or post caps.
- Unscrew and remove the top panel (whether it's a trellis or a third Venetian Hit-and-Miss panel as an example).
- Cut the posts to ensure the fence height is under 2 meters.
- Treat the cut post tops according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Reinstall the capping.
The image below shows how the above would be done. The panels would be removed (highlighted with the blue crosses and the posts cut at the red lines)
Keeping Neighbours Happy
Your neighbour might have concerns, such as losing natural light (a right they are entitled to), or they may already have plans to install their own fence in the same area. By notifying them, you demonstrate transparency and avoid giving the impression you are not trying to hide anything and instead doing the neighbourly thing and trying to keep them happy.