Advice
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Fence in Wiltshire?
By Matt, Gordon's Home & Garden ·
Most people replacing a garden fence never need to think about planning permission, and most of the time that is fine. But there are a few situations where the rules catch people out, and finding out after the fence is up is an expensive way to learn. This guide sets out the national rules for houses in England and the local points worth checking with Wiltshire Council, which is the planning authority for Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham, Westbury and the rest of the county.
It is a general guide, not legal advice. If your situation is unusual, ask the council before you build.
The basic height limits
Fences, gates and garden walls are covered by permitted development rights, which means you can put them up without applying for planning permission as long as you stay within certain limits. The two key limits are:
- Up to 1 metre high if the fence is next to a highway used by vehicles, or the footpath beside it
- Up to 2 metres high anywhere else
Height is measured from ground level. On a sloping garden that can get complicated, because the ground on each side of the fence may be at different levels.
Replacing an existing fence
If you are replacing a fence that is already over those limits, you can usually replace it as long as the new fence is no higher than the old one. That means a like-for-like replacement of an older 2.1 metre fence is not automatically a problem. Increasing the height is.
When you will need permission
Permitted development does not apply in some situations. You will need to check with the council, and probably apply, if:
- Your house is a listed building, or the fence is within the curtilage of a listed building
- An Article 4 direction has removed permitted development rights for your area
- A planning condition on your property removed those rights, which is common on some newer estates
- You want to go above the height limits
Conservation areas add another layer. In a conservation area you may need permission to take down a fence, wall or gate, not just to put one up. Bradford-on-Avon has a large conservation area covering its historic centre, and Trowbridge, Melksham and Westbury have conservation areas too. If you live in one, check before removing an old boundary, especially a stone wall.
New-build estates and covenants
Separately from planning, many newer homes come with restrictive covenants in the deeds, particularly about front gardens and open-plan frontages. A covenant is not a planning rule and the council will not enforce it, but it can still be enforced by whoever holds the benefit of it. If you are on a newer estate in Trowbridge or the surrounding area and want to fence a front garden, read your deeds first.
Which side of the fence is mine?
Planning rules do not decide who owns a boundary. Your title plan and deeds do. Some deeds mark the boundary you are responsible for with a T on the inside of the line. A common belief is that the smooth side of a fence must face the neighbour, but there is no legal rule saying so. It is still good manners to talk to your neighbour before replacing a shared fence.
Practical points that save trouble
Height limits are measured from the ground, so a 1.8 metre panel on a 300mm gravel board is a 2.1 metre fence. Trellis on top counts towards the height too.
Next to a road or drive, keep sight lines clear. A high fence at the end of a driveway can make pulling out dangerous, which is part of why the roadside limit is lower.
If your house is in the historic centre of Bradford-on-Avon, think about materials as well as height. A boundary that suits the street is easier to justify than one that does not.
Getting the fence right
Once you know what is allowed, the next decision is the fence itself: close-board or panels, timber or concrete posts, and what gate you need. The fencing and gates page explains the options, and fencing is often part of a wider garden makeover.
Matt will tell you if anything about your boundary needs checking before he quotes. For a free quote on fencing in Trowbridge and across Wiltshire, get in touch or call 07356 272150.
