Fencing is a fantastic way of marking property boundaries and securing land, but there are laws and regulations put in place across England to ensure that fencing is placed at the right locations and to the right sizes. If you’re considering adding fencing to you property, we’ve explained the fencing regulations you need to be aware of here.
At RTC Fencing, we’d always recommend that you contact a professional fence contractor before you attempt to place your own fencing to ensure that you are abiding by all the relevant laws and regulations.
Working out the boundary
The first step you should take in ensuring your fencing will be permitted is to work out the property boundaries. Check your property’s deeds to see if there is an existing agreement between your property and those neighbouring it, and if not, consider setting one up now. Otherwise, check the Land Registry for general boundary guidelines. It is between you and your neighbour who gets the rights to put up fencing, so it is best to double check that your neighbours are on board before you put a fence up, otherwise you could end up instructed to tear the fence down.
Height regulations
You are required planning permissions for fences over a certain height. Generally speaking, no fence is permitted to be over 2 metres in height, including the additions of things such as trellis panels, however plants are sometimes permitted on top of a fence to be above that height – it is best to check with your local authority beforehand. If your fence will be bordering a public highway, you will probably need to apply for planning permission for any fence above 1 metre in height.
Listed buildings
If your property is a listed building or is neighbour to a listed building, you may need planning permission before you add any fencing or wall structure. Depending on the historic significance of the listed building and the type of addition you are planning to make, your fencing may be deemed inappropriate, therefore it is best to opt for a subtle, understated piece in keeping with the theme of the property.
Keep in line with your neighbours
One final note – when adding a fencing to your property, try to make it an addition to the home and neighbourhood, rather than a stand-out feature. If your neighbours don’t think that your fence is in keeping with the tone of the neighbourhood, they can lodge a complaint with the Land Registry who will have to refer the dispute to the First-Tier Tribunal to make a decision, which can result in you having to remove the structure.
In general, it is always recommended that you get your neighbours on side when planning to build a fence on your property to ensure that the installation doesn’t cause any grievances.
To eradicate the stress and worry of dealing with fencing laws, why not ask a fencing contractor to install your new fence? An experienced contractor will know the ins and outs of fence construction laws and will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
RTC Fencing are a leading fencing contractor to Leicester, Nottingham, Melton Mowbray and Derby. We have over 20 years’ experience in the fencing industry and provide a tailor-made service, dedicated and skilled contractors and high quality fencing products. We have a huge range of products to suit any premises, including:
You can rely on RTC Fencing for all of your security fencing needs. Get in contact today for more information, we’ll be happy to assist with your enquiry.