Certain types of development do not require planning consent because they are granted consent by law ( Town and Country Planning, General Permitted Development Order). Hence you have Permission to carry out certain limited forms of development without the need to make an application to a local planning authority.

FENCES & WALLS

Planning permission will be required if:-

• The fence or wall is next to a 'highway' and will be over 1 metre in height or,

• Will be over 2 metres in height anywhere else.

• The fence is within the grounds of a Listed Building.

• Planning conditions prevent the erection of fences (eg open-plan estates).

• The property is within an area covered by an Article 4 Direction.

A FENCE can include hedges and trees, earth mounds and other means of enclosure.

Where a fence is to be erected which could affect sight-lines or traffic safety in general, it is advisable to check with the Council even though planning permission may not be necessary.

Definitions:-

"HIGHWAY” - includes all public roads, footpaths, bridleways and byways.

Article 4 Directions are issued by the Council in circumstances where specific control over development is required, primarily where the character of an area of acknowledged importance would be threatened. They are therefore more commonly applied to conservation areas.

Such Directions are usually applied over an area rather than an individual property and are registered as a Local Land Charge, so that you will normally be aware of their existence.

The effect of such a Direction is to remove permitted development rights, thereby necessitating a planning application to be made.

Article 4 Directions are not issued without careful consideration, because the Council may be required to pay compensation in circumstances where you cannot obtain planning permission for development which otherwise would be treated as permitted development. You can always check with your Council.