Neighbours new fence

[OverWyreGrower]

Just a bit of a mini-rant really

Our neighbours planning permission has gone through and they've started building their stables and garage.

However, instead of hedging, they've decided to put a fence up. The local council have no issues with this, as it's the same as "screening".

We knew they were doing it, and that they planned to take out the old stock fence.

Today, this is what I've come home to:


This is the view we used to have:


And their builders have been kind enough to leave all the old fence in our field


Which means I can't let the dogs back into it until it's been gone over with a fine tooth comb, as there's barbed wirte in there

How altogether depressing....

[scared55]

Have to change your name to OverFenceGrower now, eh?

KK

[Paul Wagland]

That is truly awful. You really have my sympathies. Can the council really do nothing if
your view is destroyed? Have you checked with them?

Obviously it is your neighbours' duty to arrange safe disposal of the old fence.

It's also good 'fencing manners' to have the outside of the fence facing your neighbour, but here you have been left with the less attractive structural rails.

EDIT: I guess now at least you have a good solid boundary between your land and their building work (not to mention them!).

[Polly Fouracre]

I don't know what to say except that you have my sympathy. Gut reaction would be to heave the old fence over the new,but common sense says go and see your neighbours.They may not know the old fence was left behind and some folk would see that fence as a thing of beauty and expect everyone else to as well!!
You have to live next door to these people(unfortunately!) and it is easier in the long run to bite your tongue and be polite.
I think though that they should have at least asked your opinion on the type of fence put up.

[carlseawolf]

don't quote me on this but something paul just said reminded me of a by- law or something that states when a fence is put up the post are on the owners side and they are responsible for the upkeep as well as the ownership.
If you can prove this to be true then you own the fence and can take it done your self and have the law on your side.

[Tracey]

I can understand your feelings. I would be really upset. Boundaries can be a minefield.

Maybe you could build a raised sitting area and still get the view?

Tracey

[clare3411]

Hi

I would be gutted. That lovely view and then the mess and awful fence

I would agree with approaching them and asking if they realised the old fence is still on your land.

A hedge would have been much more use and also environmentally friendly.

Check out the "if it is on your land possibility" you never know you might be lucky.

Best wishes and I hope you get it resolved.

[carlseawolf]

just had a browse around the net and found this site;
garden law discussion forum

they deal with problems abit like on here but what they did say was about a ( T) mark on your boundry plan that say your responsable for that fence . who put up the origanal wire fence ?

[zazen999]

Hi

OMG

Can you look at the planning permission given on the website; on our they scan in the application. Surely to goodness they can't just change from hedge to that fence.

I mean - is it really necessary for them to build that?

I hope you can do something about it.

[pigletwillie]

The builders were rather naughty and I am sure if you raised the issue with your neighbours they would sort out the rubbish issue. As for the view, as the land was there it was always likely to be built on or developed so a fence is better than a block of flats which seem to go up on most sites in Leicester or a row of leylandii, however, that doesnt replace your view.

So, look on the bright side, Most people would kill for a boundary fence like that. You could espalier all sorts of fruit along it or if inclined, still plant a screen this side of it to soften it up some. Not ideal I know but its there so try and use it to your advantage.

[Alice]

What a shame OVG to loose your lovely view, but I doubt there's anything you can do about it. As Piglet says, make the best of it and create your own view. You could grow fabulous stuff round that fence your neighbours have provided you with. I would try to see it that way - or move. Have you still a good view from an upstairs window. Can you capitalise on that ? I hope it all works out for you.

[Paulottie]

I remember you posting about this last year. I guess you lost the fight with the planners then. I am so very sorry for you.

To my mind there is no excuse for just chucking the old fence down, it's the final insult. These people have demonstrated they have no respect for you. I think you might consider sighting a cockerel and some guinea-fowl as close to their bedroom as possible!

No Paul, I'm afraid you have no rights to a view (I've had this argument with the council before)

PgW is right you do need to look at life's disasters as an opportunities, and I'm sure you can mellow it with planting, but all that must be little consolation at the moment.

[carlseawolf]

more bad news i'm afraid , after reading the law forum posted yesterday if you don't own the fence than you can not attach things to it or paint it or alter the colour in any way , and they can also paint it any colour they want on your side but they must have permission to come on your land to do it.
The reason the fence has the posts on your side is because the builders did not have to step on your land to erect the fence that way there was no permission needed.

[TonyF]

This is very sad and the worse sort of bad neighbourly conduct. If somebody did that here there would be riots in the village, the regulations on hedge/fence heights are very strict and well observed, if not you get a visit from - me actually. A new Brit family in the village have bought a house with a Leylandii fence which has grown over 2m high and is blocking their neighbour's view and I've had to ask them to cut it to the regulation height. And it has to be two meters from the boundary line so you can get to maintain a fence or cut the hedge, much different from the UK.

When you've had a chance to think about it, I'd be inclined to ignore the strict letter of the law and grow stuff up it - in a couple of years it could be covered in fruit bushes and trees, climbing plants etc etc. Time to close your eyes and imagine I think.

[kentvegplot]

Oh dear, I have every sympathy with you. Make sure the neighbours take responsibility for the rubbish - they might not even know what the builders have done.

I do wonder about people who want such solid boundaries between themselves and the lovely countryside which they presumably moved in order to enjoy.

Ask them if you could paint your side - if you're planting in front of it, a dark green fades into the background much better than any of the strident orange/browns that seem to be on the market.

Good luck.