How high can a fence be without planning permission?

Up to 1 metre if adjacent to a highway used by vehicles. Up to 2 metres elsewhere. These are the GPDO maximums.

Do I need planning permission for a garden wall?

Not if the wall is under 2 metres high (or 1 metre adjacent to a highway). Higher walls, or walls in areas with Article 4 Directions, need planning permission.

How much does fencing cost?

Boundary treatment costs in London typically range from £1,000 to £5,000 depending on length and materials. Timber fencing is cheapest, brick walls and metal railings cost significantly more.

Can I replace an existing fence with a taller one?

Yes, provided the replacement stays within the PD height limits (1m by highway, 2m elsewhere). The previous height is not relevant — it's the new height that matters.

Fence, wall or gate in Sefton: Planning Permission Guide

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

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Fence, wall or gates in Sefton at a glance

86%

approved

£258

application fee

weeks typical

Based on 49 decided applications in Sefton over 12 months (42 granted, 7 refused).

Sefton has conservation areas including Southport, Formby, Crosby, and Waterloo. Listed buildings cluster around Southport's Victorian seafront and Formby village. The Sefton Coast is a designated SSSI and Ramsar site with dune habitat restrictions affecting coastal properties. Flood zones apply along the coast and around the Alt. The borough mixes Victorian seaside character, suburban housing, and sensitive coastal ecology.

Council planning portal Pre-application advice

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

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Recent fence, wall or gate decisions in Sefton

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

Granted

Variation of condition 2 pursuant to planning permission DC/2022/01452 approved on 16.02.2023 to allow alterations to the approved bounda…

PR92026-04-02

Granted

Install 2.59 metres in height of rigid profile mesh perimeter panel fencing and a manual sliding access gate along the front boundary of …

L212026-03-25

Granted

Approval of details reserved by conditions 9 (Highway works),10 (Street lighting scheme),13 (external lighting scheme),14 (bird box detai…

2026-03-23

Granted

Retention of boundary treatment. (Retrospective)

PR82026-03-19

Granted

Creation of 2no. car parking spaces to the front, a new vehicular access following partial demolition of the front boundary wall and alte…

PR82026-03-19

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 London

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

Fence, wall or gateLondon

Typical total

£1,000–£5,000

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Related guides

Driveway

Porch

GPDO Class D

Outbuilding / garden building

GPDO Class E

All guides