Fence / Wall planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
80,783 real decisions from 323 UK councils. See what actually gets approved, what gets refused, and why — so you don’t waste thousands on drawings for something your council will reject.
Last updated: June 2026
87.0%
approval rate across 80,783 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 8 fence / wall applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
80,783
Decisions
70,248
Approved
10,535
Refused
323
Councils
Fences, walls, and boundary treatments usually need planning permission when over 1 metre adjacent to a highway or 2 metres elsewhere. Conservation areas and listed building settings add further restrictions.
What these results show
• Fences under 2m (or 1m near a highway) are permitted development — applications are for taller or more prominent boundaries.
• Retaining walls on sloped sites are a common trigger for refusal due to visual impact and engineering concerns.
• In conservation areas, even replacing a wall with a fence can require permission.
• Close-boarded fences replacing hedgerows in front gardens are increasingly refused on street scene grounds.
⚠️ These are national examples. Your council could be stricter — or more lenient. See what actually gets approved on your street →
Real fence / wall decisions
Real examples showing what works — and what gets refused. Use the filters to compare approved and refused applications.
Approved
Erection of a new greenhouse for the existing school. The greenhouse will measure 3m wide, 9.2m long, and 3.8m high. It will be situated within the school's grounds. The structure will be made of timber, featuring a polycarbonate roof and walls with a glass and timber-clad plinth.
Approved
Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed): Replacement of existing 900mm high timber front boundary fence with painted metal fencing and erection of 1.8m high gates set back 5m from the highway
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Refused
Details pursuant to the Discharge of Conditions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 of Listed Building Consent 22/00171/LBC relating to rainwater goods, stonework, repointing, formation of new window and door openings, boundary treatments, structural timbers, details of new WCs, bathrooms, kitchens and utility
Refused
We have extended the rear wall of the existing house by from the back of the dinning room and 4 m from back of the original kitchen. This should comply with the larger home permitted development guidelines. The building is no higher than 3m to the eve.
Approved
CERTIFICATE OF PROPOSED LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT TO ERECT 2M HIGH WELDMESH FENCE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE SCHOOL BOUNDARY, 2NO. DOUBLE WELDMESH GATES (2M HIGH) AND 1NO. SINGLE WELDMESH GATE (2M HIGH), TOGETHER WITH SITING SOME OF THE WELDMESH FENCING TO THE EXISTING CAR PARK AND 1NO. SINGLE SLIDING GAT
Approved
T1 Silk Tassle - remove T2 European Alder - remove T3 Western Red Cedar - remove T4 Ash - Fell T5, T6, T7 Hazel - Lay Hedge (Hazels T5, T6, T7 on the boundary wall to lay in accordance with good Devon hedge laying practice using young steepers and retaining stumps for re-growth). T8 Hazel - Remove T
DC/25/1936/AME
Approved
Non Material Amendment of DC/25/0386/FUL - Installation of new 2m high powder coated weldmesh fencing set approximately 600mm inside the existing perimeter boundary wall to the front of the school, to improve security and safeguarding measures to this elevation - Amendment concerning the specific fe
Approved
Installation of a 20m monopole supporting 3 no. antennas, 2 no. transmission dishes, 1 no. equipment cabinet, 1 no. electric meter cabinet, 2.0m high diricx fence, 2 no. powersafe containers with solar array on top and ancillary development.
Approved
Prior notification procedure for the installation of a 25m high mast supporting 6 no. antennas, 2 no. 0.3m dishes and ancillary equipment. The installation of 1 no. equipment cabinet, 1 no. meter cabinet and development ancillary within a 2m height palisade fenced compound.
Approved
Certificate of Lawful Use (Existing): to seek confirmation of compliance of Condition 1 (commencement of works) of planning appeal APP/D0515/W/23/3317138, relating to planning application F/YR22/1133/F (Erect 2no dwellings (3-storey, 5-bed) including front boundary wall 1.2m (max))
Approved
Erection of 15.0m slim lattice tower in a 10.0m x 10.0m equipment compound, meter cabinet c/w AMF panel & generator socket, Tx jointing box, 1.20m high stockproof timber post and rail fence with single strand barbed wire top and rabbit mesh bottom c/w single access gate, GPS node fixed to top of tow
Refused
ERECTION OF 2.25M HIGH TIMBER FENCE TO INCLUDE SET BACK GATE ON EAST BOUNDARY ADJACENT TO MANOR WAY (CONSERVATION AREA)
Approved
Construction of new 315 (1.5FE) place primary school with 26 place nursery over two phases (1st phase 1FE 210 place with 26 place Nursery) associated playing fields, car parking (including lighting columns 4m high), lit service areas and sprinkler tank, hard surfaced outdoor play and footpaths. Sola
Approved
Retrospective application for the change of use of a small strip of land to residential garden (Use Class C3), including the retention of a 2-metre-high timber close-board boundary fence enclosing the land.
12/00793/FUL
Approved
Installation of 11 modular buildings 3m x 9.6m and storage container units for temporary construction depot site and siting of 1.8m high chain link fence
Approved
Application for Listed Building Consent - Replace the fire damaged roof, some of the external cladding and the timber frame to the front third of the building. Full rewire and the internal wall finishes replaced, replacement windows.
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
Approved
Non-material amendment (S96a) to planning permission ref. 18/03320/FUL for the Demolition of the existing buildings, erection of a 7 to 9 storey building to provide up to 120 residential units and associated amenity space, hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatment, refuse storage, cycle parking
Approved
Opinion under Regulation 77 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 for the erection of 2m high fence/gates
▸ Sympathetic design in conservation areas can still get approved.
Approved
Installation of plant. External alterations including formation of flat roof to entrance, access ramp, new door openings, erection of fence with widened vehicle entrance gates
Approved
Listed Building Consent to demolish a partially damaged wall which provides a boundary between Home Groups property and neighbouring property, rebuild the full wall on a new foundation using existing stonework.
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
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You’re looking at national data. 13% of fence / wall applications get refused — but that number could be higher or lower in your area.
See what gets approved near your home →
Refused
Partial change of use from combined Class 1A (Farm shop) and Class 3 (Cafe), to Class 4 (Plant hire business), Class 5 (General industry), with retention of Class 3 (Cafe) use, and construct vehicle/plant repair and maintenance workshop, and 1.8m high screen fence.
Approved
Non material amendment for approved planning application referenced ZA24/25739/FUL for: 1. Alteration to Elevation 1, ground floor, entrance Unit 1 (31 & 33 High Street), widening of stone piers on each side of the entrance; 2. Addition of single external door to Elevation 6; 3. Adjustment of curtai
APP/2013/0036
Approved
Addition of insulated render to existing external masonry walls of Appliance Bay. Addition of external double doors to elevation for access into new plant room - APP/2012/0071
Approved
Partial crown reduction of Willow and Ash trees, by 1m to clear boundary fence
Approved
Horse chestnut - Trim branches to approx 1m behind neighbouring fence line. (TPO 883)
Approved
LISTED BUILDING CONSENT for the installation of a replacement escape staircase adjacent to the west elevation of the Grade II listed Bonded Warehouse, including construction of a retaining wall, and fixing of handrails and an access gate to the building
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
24/00520/PAT
Approved
Installation of a 30m telecommunications mast, solar array, gabion wall, equipment, formation of access track and associated works
Approved
Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Development for the erection of a new two metre high close-boarded garden fence
12/199/APN
Approved
Replace the roof and increase the wall height of 2 existing outbuildings
Approved
Non Material Amendment - Change from rendered external walls to facing brickwork
Refused
Replacement of existing roofing, north lights and rainwater goods and installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels and wall cladding including erection of new external racking (including part demolition of structures)
Refused
Development of Flood Prevention Scheme, Including Erection of Wall (1m to 1.75m) and Engineering Operation to form Underground Water Mitigation Infrastructure
Refused
Erection of 2m high boundary fence with vehicular access gates onto Lamont Drive, formation of parking area, erection of metal shed, formation of 2 no. covered areas and a bin storage area
Approved
Construction of single storey rear conservatory projecting 4.3 metres from the rear of the original wall of the dwelling, with a maximum height of 3.9 metres and an eaves height of 2.16 metres
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
New building - 3 walls and roof to store bulk root crops for animal feed
Approved
Proposed single storey to the rear extending 4.50 metres beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling house at a maximum height of 3.80 metres with an eaves height of 2.70 metres
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
W/22/1488/5DN
Approved
Five Day Notice for fallen bough from Oak tree into garden of 9 Waller Close
Approved
The Installation of a precast concrete outfall headwall in association with wider permitted development works.
Approved
Non material amendment to planning permission P/21/0402 to raise the height of a timber fence enclosure
Approved
Certificate of lawfulness for proposed works forming part of the Preston and South Ribble Area 3 and 4 Flood Risk Management Scheme - raising of the existing flood defence wall utilising glass panels, extending along the south (left) bank of the River Ribble from 2 Bridge Terrace to the viewing plat
Approved
Non Material Amendment application to change from PCC L wall section to brick wa
Refused
Demolish and rebuild stone wall to create vehicle access and off-street car parking
Refused
Erection of 20 metre high telecoms mast and associated equipment; installation of 2no. 15 metre high wind turbines and 42no. ground mounted solar panels; formation of 2no. compounds including 1.5 metre high retaining wall and deer fencing; and, construction of 33 metre long access track
20/00833
Approved
Application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for Proposed retaining wall
Approved
Conifer hedge made up of multiple trees to be cut back in line with the fence on applicants boundary as hedge has become unmaintained and needs trimming
Approved
Non material amendment to planning application 17/0194/FUL to amend 2no. glazed curtain walling panels to fire exits
Approved
The nursery will be turned back into 2 residential properties. An internal wall that was removed when the 2 former residential properties were turned into a single nursey will be reinstated at ground floor.
Approved
T2 Holly - Fell. The holly is growing too close to next doors property and is also causing issues with the wall. Felling the tree will avoid the risk of possible structural issues in the future. Low amenity value.
Refused
Proposed change of use of dwelling to a wedding and function venue (sui generis use) with manager's apartment and guest accommodation and erection of entrance canopy, marquee for occasional use, roof terrace with balustrade, fire escapes, covered courtyard and alterations, widen access junction and
Refused
Non material variation to planning permission 22/00250/FULL - Alteration of external plant area footprint and localised increase in fence height with addition of acoustic backing panels. Fence alterations to comply with condition 1 (noise) of planning approval
09/00430/FULIN
Refused
Change of use from open space to garden ground and erect fence
Refused
Details required for Conditions 4 (landscaping scheme), 8 (lighting scheme), 16 (biodiversity enhancements), 19 (cycle parking facilities), 20 (refuse and recycling facilities) and 23 (boundary treatment) of planning permission 22/01923/FUL (Demolition of existing buildings on site and erection of s
23/00449/FUL
Refused
Full Planning Application for alterations to the curtain wall system at ground floor level.
Refused
Formation of access, replacement of wall, railings and gates
Refused
Change of use of open space to garden ground and erection of fence
Refused
Householder Planning Application - Retention of front garden boundary fence.
Approved
TPO - SWANLAND NO. 44 - 2007 (REF 1115) A1 - Fell 1 no. Larch tree (T3) due to heavy lean to the east over old garden wall; Fell 1 no. Larch tree (T4) due to poor form, low crown vitality and weighted toward neighbouring property; Fell 1 no. Larch tree (T5) due to low crown vitality and leaning towa
Approved
Approval of matters specified in conditions 1 (phasing),2 (design),2a (levels),2b (drainage),2c (foul water connection),2d (cut/ fill),2e (roads),2f (walls/fences),2g (landscaping),2h (layout, siting, design, finish),2j (waste collection),3 (landscaping),4 (access),5 (safe routes to schools),8 (trav
Approved
Erection of a garage and formation of new boundary wall and gates
Refused
Erection of new front and side boundary fence and gate.
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