Fence / Wall planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
87,395 real decisions from 319 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: August 2026
86.0%
approval rate across 87,395 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 7 fence / wall applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
87,395
Decisions
75,158
Approved
12,237
Refused
319
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.
Refused
Listed Building Consent for internal and external alterations to facilitate change of use of upper floors from commercial (Class E) to residential (Class C3). Removal of existing internal timber fire door and frame connecting retail unit to rear protected staircase. Removal of staff toilet cubicle a
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.
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
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
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
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
Non-Material amendment to planning permission 25/00170/FUL to take the first floor internally over the Kitchen/Living room to form a larger bedroom and dressing area instead of having a vaulted ceiling. Install a Juliet balcony on the rear wall at first floor level.
▸ Kitchen/living extensions are the most common approved type.
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
Listed Building Consent for works including demolition of existing garage, erection of brick and timber enclosure for air conditioning units and refuse store to rear, provision of boundary wall, gates and screening, repairs to steps and railings, internal alterations involving window repairs/replace
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
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
Proposed Certificate of Lawfulness: Addition of 1.8m Stone wall, Stone flagging and timber clad building.
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
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 →
Refused
Change of use of agricultural land for use as a dog walking field, including a new fence around the perimeter (up to 1.8m) and a new parking area, vehicular access and gates
Refused
Render the front and rear walls, change the windows from white frames to dark grey frames, convert the garage into a habitable room, replace the garage roof (front) with a pitched roof, build a front porch, convert some of the front garden into car parkin
Refused
Erect a 20-metre lattice telecommunications tower with antennas, dishes, enclosures, cabinets, VSAT dish and erect 2 no 17.4 metre wind turbines to tip height and install a solar array. Erect 1.8m deer fence and single access gate.
▸ Creating a sense of enclosure for neighbours is a recognised planning harm.
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)
24/00520/PAT
Approved
Installation of a 30m telecommunications mast, solar array, gabion wall, equipment, formation of access track and associated works
Approved
Proposed felling of Sycamore and Ash within G1, Remove all dead wood to Sycamore trees 1-4, 7 & 12; Remove all dead wood to Ash 5; Crown lift removing the epicormic growth up to the fork on the southern canopy to Sycamore 6, Crown lift to give 8m clear stem height to the south over the roof and remo
Approved
T1 & T2 (Leylandii, 7m height): Fell to near ground level and grind down the stumps where access allows. The trees are too large for the site, are growing directly into the wall, and are obstructing access. T3 (Walnut, 9m height): Fell to...
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
Approved
Replacement of north facing first floor window including repairs to the existing lintel, replacement of south facing first floor door, the removal of existing render and re-rendering and painting of external walls in colour to match existing
▸ Matching existing materials and design helps approval chances.
Approved
Article 18 consultation from Rossendale BC (ref. 2025/0267): Construction and operation of 17 wind turbines with a maximum height to the tip of the blade of 180 metres (above ordnance datum), together with associated ancillary infrastructure comprising crane pads and hardstandings; new access tracks
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
Tree works within a conservation area - group of small, dead/dying ash trees suffering from ash dieback; removal of all trees due to condition and proximity to house/gas tank. Small tree - Removal due to inconvenient location and interference with house foundations and wall stability
▸ Sympathetic design in conservation areas can still get approved.
Approved
Non material amendment to planning permission P/21/0402 to raise the height of a timber fence enclosure
Approved
Non Material Amendment application to change from PCC L wall section to brick wa
Approved
Reduce height of 1 no. Silver Birch in SW corner from approx. 50 feet to approx. 25 feet. Tree is within 3 ft of a neighbours 10 ft high wall and has already severely damaged a low retaining wall.
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
Refused
Retrospective application for front boundary walls, gates and replacement railings at 30 High Road East
20/00833
Approved
Application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for Proposed retaining wall
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
elm tree - pollard 15 feet to remove dead branches overhanging road & close to wall. encourage new growth.
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
Application for Certificate Lawful Development (Proposed) with respect to the removal and replacement of the external wall system.
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
Erection of new front and side boundary fence and gate.
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