Neighbours new fence

[Two_Sheds]

I would be devastated too.
As to the rubbish: invite your neighbours round for a coffee and thank them for the new fence; lead them round your garden ever so friendly and not actually bringing attention to all the rubbish... hopefully they would be dreadfully embarrassed and get it cleared PDQ. Having a row would just put their backs up.

As to your photos of before and after - print them off and send to the planning officer, and ask them how they would feel. It won't achieve anything, but might make you feel better.

I hope you can pretty up the fence a bit. Strictly speaking, you cannot paint his fence without his agreement and if you do you are guilty of criminal damage, but you could erect your own separate fence on your side and paint that. What a faff.
Garden Law - Boundaries - walls and fences

[BIGMELONS]

Dont know if anyone else agrees with me about this but from what i have read it seems you complained to the planning about the schooling arena being visible from your garden,and made them put a fence up, which i am presuming they had to pay for. I would rather look at horses than a fence, i think you have cut your nose off to spite your face personally!! You have lost that view which from the looks of it you would still have had just with a horse being ridden, i know which i prefer. Did you actually go round to speak to your neighbours about a compromise when they applied for planning or did you just wait while they started building then complained straight to council?

[OverWyreGrower]

(with the exception of the posts by "BIGMELONS")

Thanks for your comments everyone. It's been really hard the last few months with all the planning stuff going backwards and forwards. It wouldn't have mattered even if we had spoken to our neighbours. They have been very resistant to any sort of conversation. We were advised by the council that "commenting" (as opposed to complaining) on the official planning applications was the best way to go about it.

We never asked for a fence to be put up. Our only concern was that if a hedge went up, it was native species (as opposed to conifer etc). Our neighbours decided not to put a hedge up (very expensive apparantly) and instead put the fence up. Which of course they are entitled to do.

Mr OWG and I, whilst not liking the fence per se, are appreciative of the fact that at least our garden is secure (for the dogs) and we don't have to look at the stables, double garage or sand paddock anymore.

Our "master plan" has changed, we're going to split our garden into 2 halves. The top half (near the fence) will hold our new polytunnel and greenhouse, extended orchard, chickens, garage etc. More of a "utility" garden I suppose.

We're planning to turn the bottom half (nearer the house) into more of a formal garden, put a nice eating area/patio in and do some landscaping....

[smallblueplanet]

Sorry, having problems posting, the site is verrrrry slow atm.

[smallblueplanet]

(with the exception of the posts by "BIGMELONS")

Thanks for your comments everyone. It's been really hard the last few months with all the planning stuff going backwards and forwards. It wouldn't have mattered even if we had spoken to our neighbours. They have been very resistant to any sort of conversation. We were advised by the council that "commenting" (as opposed to complaining) on the official planning applications was the best way to go about it.

We never asked for a fence to be put up. Our only concern was that if a hedge went up, it was native species (as opposed to conifer etc). Our neighbours decided not to put a hedge up (very expensive apparantly) and instead put the fence up. Which of course they are entitled to do.

Mr OWG and I, whilst not liking the fence per se, are appreciative of the fact that at least our garden is secure (for the dogs) and we don't have to look at the stables, double garage or sand paddock anymore.

Our "master plan" has changed, we're going to split our garden into 2 halves. The top half (near the fence) will hold our new polytunnel and greenhouse, extended orchard, chickens, garage etc. More of a "utility" garden I suppose.

We're planning to turn the bottom half (nearer the house) into more of a formal garden, put a nice eating area/patio in and do some landscaping....

Sounds a good plan OWG.

Look forward to seeing your 'after' photos.

[Mikey]

Personally I would go and have a chat with your neighbours, ask them if they could get the builders to remove the debris, as they would obviously need your permission to do so anyway!!.

While your there ask if they object to you growing anything up the fence on your side or you painting/staining it. If you get the all clear there at least you have a choice either to plant up, or stain a more pleasing colour.

Worst case scenario if they say no, create raised beds against it to rot the timbers!!!!!!!(did I just say that, oh I am naughty.)

[dexterdoglancashire]

Bl***y h*** Shelley! Just read your posts - by gum! that is a rather HUGE fence, I know you mentioned your neighbours plans when we met last summer. If I were you, I would be gutted - your view was fantastic. Good to see that at least you are positive with your last post and your new plans sound good. Best wishes. Bernie aka DDL

[TPeers]

To BM - there is a prior thread on this subject - I suggest you search for it and read it - you might then understand why your comments have received such a negative response.

OWG - the boundry which your neighbour has 'altered' - who did the fencing rights lie with? If it is your fence line, unless he is clearly withing his boundry you can force him to alter the fence to something more your liking - won't do anything for the already poor relations and may cause problems should you ever wish to sell - but worth the happy thought if not the action!

Your revised plans sound good - I can still get Hawthorn, walnut, sycamore and maybe beech seedlings if you want.

[TPeers]

Our neighbour did the same - they hated cutting 110ft of 7ft high hedge! We didn't mind to much - gave me a lovely fence to espalie (sp?) my pears trees against!

They were good though - they asked if we would consider removing the hedge and let us 'use' their workmen to dig out the roots of the thing, enlightened self interest - gave them somewhere to put the fence!

Even helped getting rid of all the hedge.

[Vegmonkey]

Sounds like you are making the best of a bad situation! It would have been a lot worse if you had things planted in this area of the garden and then they would have put the fence up, shading all your plants/veg. My parents had a problem similar to this, the builders next door removed the old fence, including 20 years worth of plants that had grown. Needless to say, it went to court...

[TPeers]

I'm lucky, I agree. My neighbours are quite good - he wants to get rid of the front fence and put a wall in - fine by me - the fence is falling down. I've just dug the area on my side as I was going to put some shrubs in. Now I know there will be workmen sometime this year I'll hold off getting the shrubs until the work is done!

Bare earth may seem a waste but I won't loose any plants, and a quick hoe everyother week will keep it neat until he does the job.

[janeyo]

Maybe time to move on from the look of the fence, (at least it didn't cost you anything, a lot of us have to maintain and put up fences that cost the earth!) rue what you had, but realise it's now gone - and make the best of what you now have - liking the espalier trees idea a lot!

janeyo