Fence Posts, Heights and the Rules

As permitted development, a fence, wall or gate can generally go up to two metres in height, dropping to one metre where it adjoins a highway used by vehicles, including a footpath alongside it. Trellis on top counts towards the height. Listed buildings, conservation areas and estates with restrictive covenants have their own rules, and covenants catch people out more often than planning does.

A fence fails at the post, at ground level, almost every time. Depth matters: a general rule is to set enough post below ground relative to the height above, with a concrete collar shaped to shed water away from the timber rather than form a bowl that holds it. Concrete posts avoid the rot problem entirely and let panels be swapped without disturbing footings.

On the clay ground common across the county, footings need to be properly dug rather than driven, and on very exposed boundaries the bay spacing matters as much as the post itself.

Ownership is determined by the deeds and title plan, not by which side the rails face, whatever the received wisdom says. Where the plan is unclear, the practical route is a conversation and a shared decision, and often a shared cost. We are happy to talk to both parties at the survey stage, because a fence agreed in advance goes up smoothly and one that is not can end up coming back down.

Gates need clearance for the swing and a post substantial enough for the weight, which is not the same post as the fence line uses. Before digging we check for shallow services, drain runs and tree roots along the boundary, since a post hole through a supply pipe is an expensive afternoon.