A homeowner's frustration with a nosey neighbour has sparked advice on garden privacy, highlighting that while fences can help, strict height rules apply. According to the Welsh Government, you may need planning permission for a fence over 1 metre high next to a highway used by vehicles, or over 2 metres high elsewhere.
Homeowner's Story
The issue emerged on Reddit, where a woman described her neighbour as "extremely nosey and invasive." She explained that after buying a property with a "huge and beautiful garden which overlooked the moors," her peace is often interrupted. The neighbour reportedly comes out to chat whenever she is outside, shouts across the street, and makes comments about her movements.
She added: "It started to feel like he was genuinely monitoring all our moves and needed to be involved and know about everything and anything we were doing. I've even caught him peeping round his front door when I've returned home, watching what I'm doing."
Suggestions from Others
Commenters offered various solutions. One said: "A higher fence might help but the bigger issue is teaching him that your time outside doesn't automatically mean you're available." Another advised: "I would try just saying outright that when you're in the garden after work that's your 'couple time'. and you really cherish that time with just the two of you."
A third suggested: "Could you look at either increasing the height of the fence, a privacy screen or maybe plant some trees/bushes along there? Make it impossible for him to peer over and harass you."
Rules on Fence Height
In Wales, you need planning permission if a fence, wall, or gate would be over 1 metre high and next to a highway used by vehicles, or over 2 metres high elsewhere. You also need permission if your right to put up fences is removed by an article 4 direction, or if the boundary is in the curtilage of a listed building.
You do not need permission to take down a fence, or to alter or improve an existing one without increasing its height. In conservation areas, you might need conservation area consent to remove a fence. Always ensure you do not remove or alter a fence that does not belong to you.
