Read this first if you need a new garden fence

The answer to the question of what the most important feature in your garden is, will vary depending on who you ask. For your kids it could be the lawn for playing, or for you the patio for your BBQs, or even your mini-allotment.

For the style, security and privacy conscious among us, it’s the boundary – often defined by a garden fence or wall. While we may have a style, security and privacy agenda that differs from our neighbours, the law doesn’t ‘sit on the fence’ when it comes to the rights and wrongs of your boundary partition.

Is my fence legal?

There’s no legal obligation for you to fence your land to define the boundaries of your property. The government website highlights what to do if you need to register the boundaries of your property especially important in the event of a boundary dispute. The choice or need to have fencing is a practicality; it defines where your property is to people and animals that might otherwise stray into your private areas, and it adds security and safety.

There are a few situations in which erecting a fence is necessary in the eyes of the law:

• Alongside railway tracks (Railways Consolidation Act 1845)
• Preventing livestock straying from a field (Animal Act 1971)
• Surrounding disused mines (Mines and Quarries Act 1954)
• Around building sites adjacent to highways (Highways Act 1980)

Can I put a new fence up?

When it comes to erecting a fence around your property you might think it’s just as easy as ordering some fence panels and having some skilled professionals install them for you. However, you might need planning permission for your fencing if:

• It is over 1 meter high and by a footpath
• Over 2 meters high
• Your house is a listed building
• You live next to a listed building

You don’t need planning permission to take down a fence or to replace it, unless you‘re planning to increase its height beyond the sizes mentioned. However, your property may be on land that is protected by a covenant – so check your deeds to see if you need permission for a fence or other kind of boundary.

Practicality and aesthetics

Why are you replacing your fence? To increase security? To add some style? There’s a fence for every purpose and making sure your chosen panels match their intended purpose is an important consideration to make.

The shape and style of your fence and the colour all work towards the final look of your garden. Even if you have a sturdy 2-meter high fence around your property for security purposes, it should still look good.

If you live in a windy or weather-beaten location, check that the timber and construction of your fence panels are sufficient to withstand the elements. A good fencing supplier will offer affordable, budget panels that may do the job, though sometimes it’s worth paying the extra for an especially robust type that has been treated for extra protection.

Get more ideas

Fencing might not necessarily be the most colourful or glamourous part of your property but based solely on the usefulness, safety and security it can provide, it’s certainly one of the most important.

To get more ideas on the styles and constructions of fence panels suitable for your garden, click here.