Fence / Wall planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
75,155 real decisions from 266 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: March 2026
86.5%
approval rate across 75,155 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 7 fence / wall applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
75,155
Decisions
65,003
Approved
10,152
Refused
266
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
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.
Approved
Demolition of Block 8 - Disused Wards 7and 8, two storey hospital building with brick and stone walls and a flat roof (Consultation under Schedule 2, Part 11 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) (England) Order 2015.
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
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
Approved
Installation of a 15m high lattice tower supporting 3 no. antennas and 2 no. transmission dishes, 3 no. equipment cabinets and 1 no. electric metre cabinet, located within a fenced compound and ancillary development.
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
Approved
INSTALLATION OF 30 METRE HIGH LATTICE MAST WITH 6NO. ANTENNAS, 2NO. 0.6M DISHES, 1NO. GPS NODE, 3NO. CABINETS, ERECTION OF 2.1M HIGH BOUNDARY FENCE AND ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT
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
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
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
Proposed Certificate of Lawfulness: Addition of 1.8m Stone wall, Stone flagging and timber clad building.
23/0513/FUL
Approved
FORMATION OF A BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM FACILITY INCLUDING ERECTION OF CONTROL BUILDING, 4 METRE HIGH ACOUSTIC BARRIER, 2.5 METRE HIGH TIMBER FENCE, 3 POLE MOUNTED CCTV CAMERAS, SITING OF 20 BATTERY STORAGE UNITS, 10 INVERTER UNITS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
Approved
T10 Oak rear garden of No.18 - Reduce lateral branches by up to 2.0m overhanging 16 St Mary's fence line cutting to vertical fence line and blending into upper canopy. Reason: To promote good arboricultural practice
Approved
Listed Building Consent: Internal alterations to install insulated plasterboard to the underside of the sloping ceiling and application of insulating lime render to internal stone walls.
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
Approved
Alterations to existing listed building boundary wall to widen vehicle access opening
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
Refused
Non material amendment to application 21/P/3199/FUL (Change of use of agricultural land to use as a cemetery with associated parking area and access road) to allow for 1). Changes to the car park top surface from core gravel mesh covered with soil and grass to core gravel mesh covered with gravel. )
Refused
Proposed erection of a 2-bedroom bungalow to provide ground floor access and comfortable living accommodation for disabled persons including access (excluding boundary wall)
Approved
Retrospective application for erection of a fence adjacent to the roadside (above the height of 1m) and relocation of driveway
Still scrolling?
You’re looking at national data. 14% of fence / wall applications get refused — but that number could be higher or lower in your area.
See what gets approved near your home →
Approved
Prior notification procedure for the erection of 1no. 25m lattice tower with 6no. antennas, 1no. 0.3m dish, 1no. 0.6m dish and installation of 2no. equipment cabinets and ancillary development within a fenced compound.
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
12/199/APN
Approved
Replace the roof and increase the wall height of 2 existing outbuildings
Approved
Whilst this tree is outside the conservation area, it forms part of an approved planning application. I don?t know if I require permission to fell this tree, it does not have a TPO.Applying for permission to remove T003 (Horse Chestnut) and replace it with Evergreen Ceanothus TreeThe attached tree s
▸ Sympathetic design in conservation areas can still get approved.
Approved
Erection of Temporary Marketing Suite and Associated Temporary Car Parking including Erection of 1.8m High Fence
16/01385/CLP
Approved
Alterations to internal layout. Existing window and wall below to be removed at rear of flat and new upvc french doors fitted with fan light above to access rear garden.
Approved
Conversion of existing integral double garage to form new apartment / living accommodation, as part of the existing dwelling.Works include removal of existing garage doors with infill of new external walling including new window (to match existing window arrangements to front elevation).
▸ Matching existing materials and design helps approval chances.
Approved
TPO0185/STA/G005 - 1 x Atlas Cedar (shown as cedar on plan) to tip prune branches back to give a vertical clearance of up to 1 metre from the house wall of 18 Deerbrook, Springfield Road.
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
Alteration to fenestration including refurbishing of bay windows, demolition of retaining wall and steps to rear garden and formation of tiered seating and lowering of terrace to create a level access to rear door of dwellinghouse
Approved
New building - 3 walls and roof to store bulk root crops for animal feed
W/22/1488/5DN
Approved
Five Day Notice for fallen bough from Oak tree into garden of 9 Waller Close
Approved
Removal of internal finishes for detailed inspection of original timber frame to front gable wall
Approved
(G1) Cotoneaster - Prune back overhanging canopy to mid pathway, raise remaining overhanging canopy to 2.5 metres above ground and clear around street lamp giving 1/2 metre clearance.(G2) Mixed species overhanging road at the top end of Herbert Road (near junction with Hill Rd) - Prune Back to bound
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
The Installation of a precast concrete outfall headwall in association with wider permitted development works.
Refused
Demolish and rebuild stone wall to create vehicle access and off-street car parking
16/02664/FUL
Refused
Alterations at ground floor level, including the formation of garage to the front elevation, forming a stair to upper level, wall removals, altering glazed openings to rear elevation. Remove existing roof and chimneys. Convert attic by extending the new roofline out to boundary to create accommodati
Refused
Change of use from retail storage to two flatted dwellings and associated alterations, including removal of section of wall, formation of new roof and formation of windows
20/00833
Approved
Application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for Proposed retaining wall
SCC/24/0067/DA
Approved
Details: Condition 3 (car park and fence) - Ref: SS. 13/06/608B MW
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.
Approved
Article 18 consultation from Salford City Council (ref.21/78501/FUL): Application pursuant to s.73 of the Act for variation and removal of conditions attached to planning permission ref. 20/76423/FUL, as follows:(a) Condition 2 (Approved Plans) relating to amendments to the scheme for the retention
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
Proposed agricultural shed, perimeter fence and formation of access
23/00449/FUL
Refused
Full Planning Application for alterations to the curtain wall system at ground floor level.
23/0214/FUMOPDC
Refused
Demolition of 73 Stephenson Street and adjacent storage building and redevelopment to provide a part 3, part 8 storey block of 33 flats (Use Class C3) linked by a 3 storey portico feature to The Clubhouse, 76/78 Goodhall Street, and provision of cycle parking, landscaping, and associated works. Alte
Refused
Formation of access, replacement of wall, railings and gates
Refused
Non material amendment relating to planning permission 23/00086/FUL to make the following amendments:Swap the substation location and the charger bays over;A blast wall has been added behind the sub-station in order to meet with regs and the illuminated EV canopy has been removed;No longer proposing
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
T1-T6 (Sycamore) - Reduce to fence height by sectional lopping and roping down and treat with root retardant, T7 and T8 (Shrub and Apple) - Reduce above crown by approximately 50% and cutting back to a side branch and prune shrubs and firs on both side and reduce shrub crown by 40% and cut back to a
22/02725/DEEM
Approved
Deemed application as a result of Enforcement Appeal (21/00225/USEH) for change of use of the land to use for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes and associated development including the stationing of mobile washroom and toilet facilities, construction of a septic tank, construction
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
09/01415/APP
Approved
Alterations to dwellinghouse and erection of a fence
Refused
Retrospective permisson for boundary fence at
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Your council may refuse the exact thing that got approved two boroughs away. See what actually gets approved near your property first.
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