Most garden fences in Hampshire don't need planning permission. A few things can change that: how tall the fence is, what it sits next to, and where your house is. Here is how the rules work in practice, so you can check before any posts go in.
Under permitted development rights, most houses can put up a fence, wall or gate without applying for planning permission, as long as it stays under certain heights. These national rules apply in Winchester, Test Valley, Eastleigh, East Hampshire, Basingstoke and Deane, and every other Hampshire council area.
Height is measured from ground level, and anything fixed on top counts. A 1.8m panel with a 300mm trellis topper is a 2.1m fence as far as the council is concerned. A fence on top of a low wall works the same way: add the two heights together. If your garden slopes or the ground is higher on one side, ask before you build, because the measurement can be taken from the lower side.
Some properties lose their permitted development rights, or have extra controls on top of them. This is fairly common around Winchester and in the older villages, so it is worth checking before you order materials.
Planning permission is only part of the picture. Your title deeds or estate covenants may limit fence heights or materials, or say which boundaries are yours to maintain, even when the council has no objection. The Land Registry can send you a copy of your title for a small fee if you don't have one.
Trees are the other common snag. Digging post holes close to a tree with a Tree Preservation Order can damage its roots, and Hampshire councils take that seriously. If a protected tree stands near the fence line, we can use shallower fixings or reposition posts to keep clear of the roots.
Corner plots need care as well. Even a low front fence or hedge can block drivers' view where your boundary meets a junction, and the highway authority can step in if it causes a safety problem.
Taller fences often get approval, especially at the back of a garden where privacy is the obvious reason. A householder application costs a few hundred pounds in council fees (check your council's current rate on the Planning Portal) and usually takes about eight weeks. A simple site plan and a drawing showing the height and materials is normally enough for a fence.
If you think your fence already falls within permitted development but want proof, perhaps for when you sell, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. This costs roughly half the full application fee.
If you're unsure, most Hampshire councils will give informal advice, and some offer a paid pre-application service. Asking is much cheaper than taking down a fence after an enforcement notice.
Yes. If the fence is on their side of the boundary and no higher than 2m, they don't need planning permission or your agreement. They will need your permission if they want to come onto your land to build or maintain it.
A 6ft fence is about 1.83m, so it is within the 2m limit for back and side gardens. It would need permission at the front of the house, or anywhere next to a road, where the limit is 1m.
Yes. Height is measured from the ground to the highest point of the fence, so gravel boards, post caps and trellis all count towards the total.
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