Fence, wall or gate in Harlow: Planning Permission Guide

Your guide to fences, walls, and gates in Harlow — height limits, permitted development rules, and costs.

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Fence, wall or gates in Harlow at a glance

86%

approved

£548

application fee

8

weeks typical

Based on 29 decided applications in Harlow over 12 months (25 granted, 4 refused).

Harlow has 10 conservation areas affecting external alterations in those zones. 14 Article 4 directions affect specific streets. 359 listed buildings recorded. Green Belt land covers parts of the borough.

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Approval probability, 5 nearest comparables, refusal reasons — for your specific address.

Recent fence, wall or gate decisions in Harlow

The 5 most recent decided applications. Addresses redacted to postcode area.

Granted

Alterations to the existing car park and bin collection point to erect a fenced enclosure to include a re-arranged bin collection point a…

CM172026-05-27
Granted

Replacement as-built boundary wall

CM172026-05-13
Response Sent

Re-location of BT copper cabinet due to re-generation of East Gate & Broad Walk Shopping Area

2026-05-12
Granted

Refurbishment of currently unused and empty ward space including the provision of new and replacement doors & windows together with a new…

CM202026-03-10
Granted

Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (partial discharge c) and d)) (Intrusive Site Investigation) of planning perm…

2026-02-05

These are borough-wide. See the 5 nearest to your address.

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Permitted Development Rules

Class A (Part 2)Part 2

Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure

GPDO 2015, Schedule 2, Part 2, Class A

Fences, walls, and gates are covered by Part 2, Class A of the GPDO. The main consideration is height: up to 1 metre next to a highway, up to 2 metres elsewhere.

Key dimension limits

Max 1m adjacent to highwayMax 2m elsewhere

These are the maximum GPDO limits for a detached house with no constraints. Your actual limits depend on your property type, location, and any planning restrictions.

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Typical Costs in East of England

Boundary treatment costs depend on the length, material, and type — timber fencing is cheapest, brick walls are the most expensive.

Fence, wall or gateEast of England

Typical total

£900£4,500

Typically includes

MaterialsInstallationFoundations (for walls)

Typically excludes

Planning application fee

Timber fencing is cheapest. Brick walls and metal railings cost significantly more per metre.

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Which Professionals Do You Need?

Boundary treatments rarely need professional services beyond a competent builder or fencing contractor.

This project is unlikely to need specialist professional services beyond a competent builder.

Architect / designerNot needed

This type of project does not typically require architectural services.

Structural engineerNot needed
Party wall surveyorNot needed
Planning consultantNot needed

This guidance is based on a typical semi-detached house with no special constraints. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and attached properties may require additional professional input.

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Conservation Areas & Listed Buildings

In conservation areas, the same height rules apply, but you should consider materials that are sympathetic to the area character. Some Article 4 Directions restrict boundary treatments.

Conservation areas

Properties in conservation areas often have reduced permitted development rights. Some project types (like side extensions) lose PD rights entirely. An Article 4 Direction can remove additional PD rights.

Listed buildings

Listed buildings (Grade I, II*, or II) have no permitted development rights at all. Any external alteration requires Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission. An architect experienced in heritage work is essential.

Check if your property is in a conservation area or has other planning constraints.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Just want a quick yes/no for your fence, wall or gate?

Run our free 2-minute check to see whether your project likely qualifies as permitted development in Harlow. For personalised approval odds and nearby comparables, get the full report above.

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