Does anyone happen to know whether the maximum 2m high fencing you are allowed as standard would include trellis or are you allowed to have the height of the trellis above that?  Not sure whether the 2m height is just for solid fencing.

Think local bylaws might have some sway on it too so perhaps you might need to phone your local council.

Did phone them this morning Isabel but forgot to ask this question :D so just wondered if anyone else knew as I would think it is probably a general rule, bit like the 2m high fencing.  I forgot to ask cos I was reeling from the suggestion that I might like to pay £157 to find out if I would be allowed an extra 18" of fence height.

>that I might like to pay £157 to find out if I would be allowed an extra 18" of fence height.

  What do you mean?  Were the council going to charge you for the information or were they saying you need planning permission.
I don't think anyone else can help you unless they live under the same council because of the local bylaws.  There is something about it on this BBC Gardening site.  They also mention checking your deeds for covenents that might restrict things.
Does your council maybe have a web site that might have this sort of information on?

Basically that I would need to put in a planning application Isabel - over the top don't you think for a slightly higher fence which wouldn't impact anyone else (as I explained to the council, there is a very wide alleyway on the other side)?  No way was I prepared to spend £157 just for them to rubber stamp it.  No, there is nothing on the deeds.

Thanks for the other suggestions - I'll have a look.

Perhaps that is their answer though, not without planning :(

Our council does this too these days   Even if it's permitted development they will tell you that you have to put an application in and pay etc before you can get any information   It isn't how things were done when I worked in Planning! but then when I left we hadn't long started charging.  Luckily I still have contacts there and was able to keep within permitted development - much easier and cheaper than paying a couple of hundred for 12" of fencing!

Annie could also contact the planning department direct they will tell her exactly if it is permitted development or not with no charge :)
Oh I have just reread you post, I know my local planning office do not charge for advise as I have had some recently.  It included a site visit too. No charge.  Fail in that you can call at the office yourself and view all the policies that cover any particular issue.

That's my point Isabel, I phoned up as member of the public and was told I'd have to submit plans and pay to find out if it was permitted development!!   As I still have contacts there I made a few more phone calls on the QT and got the info I needed free!  Not everyone is so lucky   I'm sure they're supposed to give the info free anyway, but that's one of the reasons I left, so much going on that shouldn't and no-one to report it to as those I should have reported to were the perpetrators

Well I suggest Annie tries her own particular department out as I have always found ours to be very helpful so I think yours might be a rogue bunch :)

I do hope so, it's very depressing to think there may be more of them out there :( :(

It was the Duty Planning Officer I spoke to Isabel.  She was very friendly and rather apologetic but said anything over 2m high would need a planning application. :(  Sorry but I have to think this is just money making as it wouldn't take someone 5 minutes to take a look and see this wouldn't impact anyone else.  Failing that, have a basic (say £10) charge for such small planning matters.

That's what I get for trying to play by the rules.  I see lots of higher fences round here and I bet the vast majority didn't go for planning consent. :rolleyes:

It's only information regarding whether it conforms to permitted development and if it has any chance of succeeding that you get for free :)  If it is not, as seems the case for you, then the planning application is far more than a 5 minute look by the planning officer to make a decision.  There are laws that say it must go to consultation with those affected and quite rightly too.  Would you like the planning officer to decide without any input from you on what a neighbour could do on their property? :)

>I see lots of higher fences round here and I bet the vast majority didn't go for planning consent.

Some of them may have gone up before the permitted development precluding them was set and yes, probably, some will have gone up without permission :)  You could take a risk and just do it.  I did this when I changed a wooden fence for a dry stone wall which was not permitted development a couple of years ago but as it was shorter and considerably more attracted I felt there was a very good chance that my neighbours would not report it and so far they haven't.  If they do report you you would have to apply retrospectively and run the risk that it was refused and be forced to take it down so it could be a costly gamble.
You could use the Planning Portal to see what sort of application is likely to succeed or not in your area and check up on those neighbours you think did it without if you like ;)

It's only information regarding whether it conforms to permitted development and if it has any chance of succeeding that you get for free
I'm well aware of that Isabel.

the planning application is far more than a 5 minute look by the planning officer to make a decision.  There are laws that say it must go to consultation with those affected and quite rightly too.  Would you like the planning officer to decide without any input from you on what a neighbour could do on their property?
In this case, as I've clearly explained, a higher fence would have absolutely no impact on any other resident in the area and I've already discussed the possibility with my nearest neighbour who would be around 10ft away from the fence anyway!

If you think your neighbours are going to be happy and nobody else is affected then you could just risk doing it but beware the neighbour who says they are happy to your face ;)  However, a Planning Officer cannot know your neighbour is in agreement unless they go through the process of consultation so I'm sure you can see not only are they obliged by law to do it properly and not just decide for themselves but it is in all our interests, as neighbours ourselves, that the system is like that :)

You will need planning permission to erect any fence over the regulation 2 mtr.  I have an 82 inch tall fence which I had to apply for planning permission to erect as it was 10 inchs above the permitted height, you have to fill in the form and supply 4 copies of a Ordinacy survey map showing your property outlined in RED along with details of the materials you wish to  use and of course your Fee.

My planning officer told me the only reason it would not be granted was if it affected other developements adjascent to the fence, they then sent out an inspector who measured the gravel boards and fence panels with the tops on and took photographs then it went to parish as well as all the other planning committees for approval hence so many damn copies you have to do their paperwork for them!  Oh and the letter goes out to all your neighbours who can see the fence or are adjoining your property even if the fence isn't actually adjoining them.

Have to say it made me laugh as you can erect a conservatory without planning consent as long as its volume is LESS THAN 70 CUBIC METRES where's the logic in that one eh?

>Have to say it made me laugh as you can erect a conservatory without planning consent as long as its volume is LESS THAN 70 CUBIC METRES where's the logic in that one eh?

I think the logic is that it does have to be a certain distance from your neighbours property.  A boundary fence by definition is right there :)  Also fencing and hedges have had a lot of bad press lately so it's largely due to popular demand.

where's the logic in that one eh?

You were expecting logic from local or central government????? :D

You will need planning permission to erect any fence over the regulation 2 mtr.  I have an 82 inch tall fence which I had to apply for planning permission to erect as it was 10 inchs above the permitted height,

If the regulated height is 2 metres and your fence is 82 inches tall then you are only 3 inches over.( 3.25)  Not 10.

Most planning departments would probably not really bother with 3 inches in my experience unless it was affecting natural beauty or light/sun light.

You need a building warrant for the small conservatories  but agree historically you didnt need full planning permission.  This has changed in most areas now or is changing in most areas.

That's what I get for trying to play by the rules.

you're so right, Annie.  When I was fighting my council tax re-banding I came across a lot of properties that had work done to them without planning permission :rolleyes:
Our next door neighbour even built half a bungalow in his back garden without permission

>Our next door neighbour even built half a bungalow in his back garden without permission 

Didn't you notice? :D

Of course I noticed :rolleyes:
But I wasn't aware he hadn't obtained planning permission.

I think if a neighbour started building an extension I might have made enquiries having not received notification of the planning application :)  If is was done less than 12 years ago it is not too late to complain if you have lived with it for more than 12 years it would seem it has had little impact :)

The building was already there when we moved in so I assumed planning permission had been obtained.
The point I'm trying to make is that many people don't bother with planning permission. They just go ahead in the hope that no-one will complain.

>The building was already there when we moved in so I assumed planning permission had been obtained.

:D Then you can't possibly object.

>They just go ahead in the hope that no-one will complain.

Yes, but they run the risk of losing thousands if a retrospective application fails and they have to pull it down. 
Confession time again, not long after we moved here we put up a conservation that should have been applied for but again I was confident my neighbours would not object as it was some distance from them and did much to approve the appearance of our house as well as add amenity and even if they had objected I was pretty sure that I would get it but if I had lost.......................
Anyhoo, we are over the time limit now so you can't report me :p

Then you can't possibly object.

Ah, but I did :)
I objected that my neighbour's council tax band was the same as ours despite them having the extra building in their back garden.

Good result, too - our banding was reduced :)

Well, done :)  I have been looking at mine and there are anomalies but can't decide whether to claim or not yet.  Unfortunately your neighbours can be raised

you're so right, Annie.  When I was fighting my council tax re-banding I came across a lot of properties that had work done to them without planning permission

Seems to me that often it's the people who don't play by the rules that get their own way, no matter how unsuitable the development.  Heaven help anyone who is honest and tries to do things by the book, they get clobbered both financially and rule wise.  :rolleyes: :(

The law that you are finding a bit tedious just now ;) also protects you from being rode roughshod over by your neighbours.  People who don't play by the rules are gambling thousands of pounds on not offending anyone with their development. They only get away with it if the neighbours tolerate it. You can take the risk if you like :)

Isabel, as you've twice admitted breaking the planning laws yourself by not applying when you should have, I really don't think you should be taking the moral high ground here. :)

I don't think she's ever claimed to be perfect ... ;) :D

Hypocritical maybe ;) 

Who's taking the high ground or even being a hypocrit?  I told you what I had done and also said

>People who don't play by the rules are gambling thousands of pounds on not offending anyone with their development.

.............so you can take your chances but what I don't see as fair would be expecting the law to be changed to accomodate either you or me :)

There are laws that say it must go to consultation with those affected and quite rightly too.

However, a Planning Officer cannot know your neighbour is in agreement unless they go through the process of consultation so I'm sure you can see not only are they obliged by law to do it properly and not just decide for themselves but it is in all our interests, as neighbours ourselves, that the system is like that

That's a couple of your quotes which I consider to be taking the moral high ground and being hypocritical seeing as you're lecturing others but not following it yourself.

If that is how you wish to see it.  I am pointing out that I think the law is fair because it protects those who would ride roughshod over their neighbours.  I told you about my wall as a suggestion that you could go that way if you are sure your neighbours wouldn't object but not as a recommendation if you are not sure because of the risk but I still do not say I think these laws should not exist. Those neighbours could be you or me.  I gave it as a suggestion that I thought might be helpfull but clearly you have not found it so :)

OK, I know what I think but I'm happy to let others do their own interpretation of your remarks. :)

:(  You have not done anything so I cannot see why you should take umbrage at any of my comments. 
I hope people just read what I say rather than 'interpret' it :rolleyes:
I wish you success with your project how ever you go about it.

Oh Isabel - definitely a tad hypocritical :D :D :D Sometimes there's a time to keep one's mouth well and truly shut, don't you think :D

Daisy

Wot, Isabel not perfect ?! :-D

Certainly not ;) are you? :)

No, Isabel, none of us are :)
(but I've never broken any planning laws :-D )

Hows abut this one then. Listed building, falls down during renovation. rebuilt. Planners say it has to come down. Months of court and legal ranglings. Suddenly, a group of protected species bats are 'found' in the newly built cotage. :rolleyes: Building still up due to bats.........;) So, Annie....put up the fence, add a bat or owl box, which of course will be inhabited :D and there you go, problem solved :D :D

:D :D  Have to think about that one!!

Oh, and another one. Public right of way between shops, been there countless years. man with money owns plot, puts up a building across the right of way. Months of ranglings, council gave in and allowed the building to stay, despite a petition to them argueing for the right of way to be reinstated. I sometimes think its not what you are applying for, but who you are who are  applying...