We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so
the kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football or
tennis there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours garden.
They are a middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their garden and
won't put up for too long with our kids climbing over the 4ft stone
dividing wall to fetch their balls.

I want to avoid any aggro. It's not that the couple are nasty or
anything - they have been helpful since we moved and are generally OK,
but I dread the day when my kids kick the ball at their single pane
windows and smash them. To be honest, I wouldn't like it either if I
were in their shoes.

I was going to have a sports fence put up along the wall, but since the
wall is theirs they objected. They also commented they wouldn't like it
on the grounds that it would look like a prison camp.

I thought that perhaps I should consider restricted the kids ball games
to one area and putting one of those cricket nets there so that we could
be sure that the ball won't go far. It'll be safer because at the bottom
end the garden faces a busy road and I don't want the kids chasing after
the balls on there.

So the questions:

1. What options are available to erect a suitable barrier between our
and the neighbours gardens?

2. How much of a say do they have in what sort of fencing I put up on
the edge of my garden?

3. What is the maximum legal height for a garden fence.

4. What if we put up an 8ft high washing line and hung some nest from
this as and when the kids were playing. The netting could be easily
taken down when not in use.

5. Would I require permission for cricket net type apparatus?

"S R" wrote in message
...
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so the
kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football or tennis
there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours garden. They are a
middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their garden and won't put up
for too long with our kids climbing over the 4ft stone dividing wall to
fetch their balls.

I want to avoid any aggro. It's not that the couple are nasty or
anything - they have been helpful since we moved and are generally OK, but
I dread the day when my kids kick the ball at their single pane windows
and smash them. To be honest, I wouldn't like it either if I were in their
shoes.

I was going to have a sports fence put up along the wall, but since the
wall is theirs they objected. They also commented they wouldn't like it on
the grounds that it would look like a prison camp.

I thought that perhaps I should consider restricted the kids ball games to
one area and putting one of those cricket nets there so that we could be
sure that the ball won't go far. It'll be safer because at the bottom end
the garden faces a busy road and I don't want the kids chasing after the
balls on there.

So the questions:

1. What options are available to erect a suitable barrier between our and
the neighbours gardens?

2. How much of a say do they have in what sort of fencing I put up on the
edge of my garden?

3. What is the maximum legal height for a garden fence.

4. What if we put up an 8ft high washing line and hung some nest from this
as and when the kids were playing. The netting could be easily taken down
when not in use.

5. Would I require permission for cricket net type apparatus?


Tell the kids to play ball games elsewhere and reserve the garden for family
activities like barbecues and the like.

R wrote:
"S R" wrote in message
...
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so the
kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football or tennis
there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours garden. They are a
middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their garden and won't put up
for too long with our kids climbing over the 4ft stone dividing wall to
fetch their balls.

I want to avoid any aggro. It's not that the couple are nasty or
anything - they have been helpful since we moved and are generally OK, but
I dread the day when my kids kick the ball at their single pane windows
and smash them. To be honest, I wouldn't like it either if I were in their
shoes.

I was going to have a sports fence put up along the wall, but since the
wall is theirs they objected. They also commented they wouldn't like it on
the grounds that it would look like a prison camp.

I thought that perhaps I should consider restricted the kids ball games to
one area and putting one of those cricket nets there so that we could be
sure that the ball won't go far. It'll be safer because at the bottom end
the garden faces a busy road and I don't want the kids chasing after the
balls on there.

So the questions:

1. What options are available to erect a suitable barrier between our and
the neighbours gardens?

2. How much of a say do they have in what sort of fencing I put up on the
edge of my garden?

3. What is the maximum legal height for a garden fence.

4. What if we put up an 8ft high washing line and hung some nest from this
as and when the kids were playing. The netting could be easily taken down
when not in use.

5. Would I require permission for cricket net type apparatus?


Tell the kids to play ball games elsewhere and reserve the garden for family
activities like barbecues and the like.


I am afraid this is..in all reality, the best option. There is a
doctrine of 'quite enjoyment' as a right for any householder, and
strictly that means kids don't rush around yelling their heads off
booting curvers into your windows. However the reality is that people
are to an extent tolerant.

This is a case where I would definitely go and knock on the door, and
ask to speak, and outline your dilemma openly sincerely and honestly,
and make sure that whatever they are prepared to put up with, is clearly
understood, as is the principle that if they change their mind, they
only have to say so, and you will 'cease and desist'

What is legal is not what you need or want to know: if it gets to legal
you are already living in a bad atmosphere, where relations have broken
down.

What you want is a fully understood friendly relationship with your
neighbours, where they have been able to set limits that you WILL abide
by (no screaming in the garden after 7pm etc etc)

What you DO NOT want is sudden disappearance of planted vegetation due
to surreptitious application of weed killer, caltrops sprinkled in your
drive, and your kids coming up in a rash because the ball came back
coated with a rare south american poison. ;-)

When I was young we did all of that lot, and when the neighbours 'told
us off' we were suitably chastened, and did not call them obscene names
and nor did our parents immdiately take our side, and threaten them with
legal action: Instead the whacked our backsides and told us not to annoy
our elders and betters again.

It reminds me of a dreary half an hour I spent at a party once many
years ago in another country being regaled by a bored German housewife
on the terrible parties and endless noise generated by her neighbours.
And on what I thought her rights were and should she call the police etc
etc.

After discovering this had been going on for months and months, I
clucked and said 'and what have you said to them, and did they listen?'

'Oh, no, I have neffer spoke to them at all'

Someone defined the socialist state as being 'a way of getting someone
else to do to someone else, what you yourself are too lazy and lack the
courage to do for yourself'

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:24:54 +0000, S R wrote:
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so
the kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football or
tennis there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours garden.
They are a middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their garden and
won't put up for too long with our kids climbing over the 4ft stone
dividing wall to fetch their balls.

It's generally considered polite to *ask* before retrieving balls etc.
You never know, your neighbours may well throw the balls back over if
you treat them with respect.

In article , pete
scribeth thus
On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:24:54 +0000, S R wrote:
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so
the kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football or
tennis there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours garden.
They are a middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their garden and
won't put up for too long with our kids climbing over the 4ft stone
dividing wall to fetch their balls.

It's generally considered polite to *ask* before retrieving balls etc.
You never know, your neighbours may well throw the balls back over if
you treat them with respect.

One we had when a nipper .. used to delight in kicking the ball back
over the fence where we'd kick it back

Till his missus came out and started grumbling!..


--
Tony Sayer

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
R wrote:
"S R" wrote in message
...
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so
the kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football
or tennis there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours
garden. They are a middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their
garden and won't put up for too long with our kids climbing over the
4ft stone dividing wall to fetch their balls.

I want to avoid any aggro. It's not that the couple are nasty or
anything - they have been helpful since we moved and are generally
OK, but I dread the day when my kids kick the ball at their single
pane windows and smash them. To be honest, I wouldn't like it either
if I were in their shoes.

I was going to have a sports fence put up along the wall, but since
the wall is theirs they objected. They also commented they wouldn't
like it on the grounds that it would look like a prison camp.

I thought that perhaps I should consider restricted the kids ball
games to one area and putting one of those cricket nets there so that
we could be sure that the ball won't go far. It'll be safer because
at the bottom end the garden faces a busy road and I don't want the
kids chasing after the balls on there.

So the questions:

1. What options are available to erect a suitable barrier between our
and the neighbours gardens?

2. How much of a say do they have in what sort of fencing I put up on
the edge of my garden?

3. What is the maximum legal height for a garden fence.

4. What if we put up an 8ft high washing line and hung some nest from
this as and when the kids were playing. The netting could be easily
taken down when not in use.

5. Would I require permission for cricket net type apparatus?


Tell the kids to play ball games elsewhere and reserve the garden for
family activities like barbecues and the like.

I am afraid this is..in all reality, the best option. There is a
doctrine of 'quite enjoyment' as a right for any householder, and
strictly that means kids don't rush around yelling their heads off
booting curvers into your windows. However the reality is that people
are to an extent tolerant.

This is a case where I would definitely go and knock on the door, and
ask to speak, and outline your dilemma openly sincerely and honestly,
and make sure that whatever they are prepared to put up with, is clearly
understood, as is the principle that if they change their mind, they
only have to say so, and you will 'cease and desist'

What is legal is not what you need or want to know: if it gets to legal
you are already living in a bad atmosphere, where relations have broken
down.

What you want is a fully understood friendly relationship with your
neighbours, where they have been able to set limits that you WILL abide
by (no screaming in the garden after 7pm etc etc)

What you DO NOT want is sudden disappearance of planted vegetation due
to surreptitious application of weed killer, caltrops sprinkled in your
drive, and your kids coming up in a rash because the ball came back
coated with a rare south american poison. ;-)

When I was young we did all of that lot, and when the neighbours 'told
us off' we were suitably chastened, and did not call them obscene names
and nor did our parents immdiately take our side, and threaten them with
legal action: Instead the whacked our backsides and told us not to annoy
our elders and betters again.

It reminds me of a dreary half an hour I spent at a party once many
years ago in another country being regaled by a bored German housewife
on the terrible parties and endless noise generated by her neighbours.
And on what I thought her rights were and should she call the police etc
etc.

After discovering this had been going on for months and months, I
clucked and said 'and what have you said to them, and did they listen?'

'Oh, no, I have neffer spoke to them at all'

Someone defined the socialist state as being 'a way of getting someone
else to do to someone else, what you yourself are too lazy and lack the
courage to do for yourself'



Some interesting views, and all sensible.

Our previous house was in a neighbourhood of large terraced Victorian
houses, with hardly any garden space, not even enough for off street
parking really. In that neighbourhood, kids play in the streets. They
were loud, boisterous and care free, but never rude, confrontational or
intimidating. However the noise levels could get annoying, and there was
no point in keeping a nice car (bikes and balls being the danger, not
theft) , and recently the first signs of a gang culture beginning to
emerge could be seen. This is why we moved.

I guess I thought that by not letting the kids play their preferred
games in their garden would be an oppression upon them, and I was
wanting to try and see if I could balance their wants with the rights of
the neighbours. But this "quiet enjoyment" doctrine is a just one, and
I will re-think this issue with this doctrine in mind.

As regards the fences, any view from a purely decorative perspective?

S R wrote:
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so
the kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football
or tennis there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours
garden. They are a middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their
garden and won't put up for too long with our kids climbing over the
4ft stone dividing wall to fetch their balls.

I want to avoid any aggro. It's not that the couple are nasty or
anything - they have been helpful since we moved and are generally OK,
but I dread the day when my kids kick the ball at their single pane
windows and smash them. To be honest, I wouldn't like it either if I
were in their shoes.

I was going to have a sports fence put up along the wall, but since
the wall is theirs they objected. They also commented they wouldn't
like it on the grounds that it would look like a prison camp.

I thought that perhaps I should consider restricted the kids ball
games to one area and putting one of those cricket nets there so that
we could be sure that the ball won't go far. It'll be safer because
at the bottom end the garden faces a busy road and I don't want the
kids chasing after the balls on there.

So the questions:

1. What options are available to erect a suitable barrier between our
and the neighbours gardens?

Too many to list


2. How much of a say do they have in what sort of fencing I put up on
the edge of my garden?

None as long as what you do is entirely on your own property.

3. What is the maximum legal height for a garden fence.

6ft I think.

4. What if we put up an 8ft high washing line and hung some nest from
this as and when the kids were playing. The netting could be easily
taken down when not in use.

5. Would I require permission for cricket net type apparatus?

I can't see why.

Having had to endure it for 10 or more years until the neighbour's kids grew
old enough to stop doing it I'd also suggest you consider the noise nuisance
to neighbours of footballs and tennis balls slamming into wooden panel
fences all day long. The constant crack, crack, crack coming from just
outside the lounge window can drive you nuts. The kids are oblivious of
course as apparently was the she-devil who spawned them who could only ever
shriek abuse if you tried to discuss anything sensibly with her. Netting
sounds a good idea or a trellis with foliage growing on it would prevent
such noise.
--
Dave Baker

"S R" wrote in message
...
We've recently moved to a new house with a garden, which we wanted so the
kids could play safely. Obviously, when they're playing football or tennis
there is a risk of the ball going into the neighbours garden. They are a
middle aged couple (no kids) who look after their garden and won't put up
for too long with our kids climbing over the 4ft stone dividing wall to
fetch their balls.


Unless you are in a restricted planning zone, normal accepted planning
height for a boundary fence is 1.8m from ground level (your side) to top of
fence.

Posts must on your land .. centre of fence line is usually the boundary.

It's your garden, & your kids ... enjoy.
As long as your enjoyment does not constitute a nuisance, is not outside the
0700-2300 zone, and is not an eyesore then you are OK.


Fix posts up against the diving wall, and 2' fence panels as infill's, make
sure you don't encroach boundaries ..... by all means explain what you are
doing .... but other than that, get on with it.

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:27:49 -0000, "Rick Hughes"
wrote:


Unless you are in a restricted planning zone, normal accepted planning
height for a boundary fence is 1.8m from ground level (your side) to top of
fence.

It used to be when we had old money (6'), but it's 2m now (6' 8").

(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19950418_en_4.htm Part 2 class
A)

Posts must on your land ..

Yup

centre of fence line is usually the boundary.

Nope, that's the kind of assumption that leads to neighbour disputes.

It *can* be the boundary and *may* well be(especially if it's a party
fence) but "usually" ? Not around here.

Cheers,

John