Sheds and fence panels

[Steve Walker]

Just a random thought passing through my mind.

Why do the sheds all stock fence panels ranging from 3' upwards, when most people use a 2' panel and a 1' concrete panel to stay within the 1m limit?

SteveW

[Robin]

Because the "limit" of 1m applies only to fences adjacent to a highway. Elsewhere it is 2m. And both are only "limits" in the sense that planning permission is required for soemthing higher. See

I doubt most people use double height concrete gravel boards: apart from the aesthetics at 50kg or so they are beyond the safe working limit for one [normal] person.

[Nightjar]

My fences are 2m high - a 6ft panel on a 6" concrete gravel board. Of course, none of those are next to a highway, which is the only place where you are limited to 1m without planning permission.

Colin Bignell

[polygonum]

What complicates that is the definition of "highway". And, indeed, "next to".

Our front garden has a footpath in front that divides from the house opposite. I think even that footpath qualifies as a highway. We have put up a fence there, around 5 foot high, but not immediately at the edge of the path. Not at all sure whether that is allowed. We decided to chance our arm as so many places have hedges way over 2 metres high and it is not impacting visibility for traffic, etc. Also, it is an open trellis-type fence which reduces its visual impact considerably.

[Brian Gaff]

What 1M limit is that then?

Brian

[hugh]

In message , Steve Walker writes

Because they are run by accountants.

[Nightjar]

In planning law, a highway includes all roads, footpaths, bridleways and the like over which the public have a right to pass. However, the restriction that limits a fence to 1m high without specific planning permission only applies to fences adjacent to a highway that is used by vehicles.

The fact that it is not a highway used by vehicles means that 2m high fences are permitted. I'm not sure how far a fence would need to be from a boundary not to count as a boundary fence, but I would expect that anything within 1m of the boundary would definitely count as a boundary fence for planning purposes.

The height of hedges is not covered by the legislation that limits fence heights, so that is no guide.

Colin Bignell

[polygonum]

Tried to interpret the planning portal (whatever it is called), and ended up not being at all sure whether it applied or not. Good to know, thanks.

[Steve Walker]

fence at the front. When one gets damaged (I once had a drunken lesbian attack a neighbour, thinking it was her partner and then fall through my fence when being restrained) you can't nip to the sheds that are open late or on Sunday, as none of them stock 2' at all.

SteveW

[Steve Walker]

The one that covers boundary fences or walls which face onto a highway. Any higher (or >2m for a one not facing a highway) needs planning permission.

Hence why people frequently have 3' at the front and 6' at the back.

SteveW

[polygonum]

Quite number of properties round here have fences dividing plots which are high and slope down along the last panel or two to be one metre before the highway boundary.

[hugh]

In message , Steve Walker writes

How many are you looking for and where to the nearest county are you base?

[Steve Walker]

I'm not looking for any thanks. I have a couple of local suppliers, but they are not always open at convenient times and I've had a few occassions where I've needed a single panel due to accident or weather damage. A quick trip to one of the local sheds would have been easy, except that none of them stock 2'. In the end I've had to finish work early to pick one up.

SteveW