Walls and fences

You normally need planning permission if you wish to erect a new wall fence or gate. You do not normally need to apply for permission to alter, maintain, improve or take down an existing fence, wall or gate.

However, you need to make sure you meet certain conditions first.

Height

You may not need planning permission if the new fence, wall or gate is:

• less than one metre in height from ground level, if it is next to a highway or footway 
• less than two metres in height from ground level, if it is not next to a highway or footway

Whether a fence is next to a highway depends on a number of factors, such as the distance and the nature of any intervening land. A footway is a path at the side of the road.

Other factors

The wall, fence or gate must not:

• be part of a site that is a listed building or within the curtilage of a listed building
• form a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage
• be on land/property subject to an Article Four Direction or planning condition (this is where permitted development rights are not in force)

If you don't meet the conditions

If your planned work exceeds the permitted height, or one of the other factors applies, you will need to apply for planning permission.

If you want confirmation that you do not need planning permission, you can apply for a lawful development certificate.

Party walls

You can visit the GOV.UK site for more information about party walls.