Being overlooked by neighbours or a road takes away the enjoyment of a garden no matter how well it is planted or designed. Fencing for privacy is one of the most impactful improvements any Hampshire homeowner can make — and with the right choices, it can look beautiful as well as functional.
Height and Permitted Development
In England, fencing up to 2 metres in height on boundaries not adjacent to a highway falls within permitted development and does not require planning permission. Fencing over 1 metre on a boundary adjacent to a highway (including a footpath) requires planning permission.
- Up to 2m on non-highway boundaries: no permission needed
- Over 1m adjacent to a highway: planning permission required
- Listed buildings and Conservation Areas: check with your authority
- Trellis on top of a fence: adds height but may affect planning compliance
Best Privacy Fencing Options
Close-board fencing remains the gold standard for solid privacy in Hampshire gardens. It provides complete visual screening from 1.5m upwards and is available in heights up to 1.8m as standard. Horizontal slatted fencing gives a contemporary alternative with similar privacy levels.
Combining Fencing with Planting
The most attractive privacy solutions combine a structural fence with climbing plants or screening shrubs. Trachelospermum, climbing roses, clematis and pyracantha all look beautiful against a fence and add soft texture to what would otherwise be a hard surface.
A&T Landscapes installs privacy fencing across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Call 07735 916029 for a fencing quote and site visit.