Please make sure you have the correct permissions before the installation of any of our products.
You will need planning permission in the following situations:
- If you plan to put gates or railings over 2 metres high anywhere on your property
- If you plan to modify the property or character of a listed building and/or you live in a conservation area.
- If you plan to put gates or railings over 1 metre high next to a highway or footpath and there is no precedence for doing so i.e the rest of the street is open plan.
Note – Gates must not open outwards if they create an obstruction on a highway or footpath.
You will not need planning permission for the following situations:
- Erecting a new bespoke gate or railing that is entirely on your property AND does not front a highway or footpath AND is less than 2 metres high.
- Side gates, electric gates, security gates and railings that do not fall within exemptions listed above.
- Replacing an existing gate or railing, whatever the height , even if it fronts a highway or footpath.
What about my neighbours?
You may wish to inform your neighbours of any work you are having done that could cause noise or other disturbances to their properties out of courtesy. There are instances where you must inform your neighbours of your plans to install gates and railings and have their permission to do so.
For Boundary Railings
If you intend to put railings astride the boundary line then you must inform your neighbour of your proposals in writing. They need to reply to your letter within fourteen days.
- If they agree then you can go ahead as planned. They might also agree to share the costs, in which case we recommend getting the agreement signed to avoid problems later (e.g. if they later decide they cannot afford to pay.)
- If your neighbour does not reply to your letter then you may commence work, at your own expense, within one month of serving notice.
- If your neighbour writes and objects to your proposals then you cannot put railings astride the boundary line. However, you can still put up railings to a height of 2 metres as long as they are entirely on your property and at your own expense. In this case you would also need to compensate your neighbour for any damage caused to their land in the process.
For Gates and Railings on Your Property
If you are putting gates or railings up entirely on your property then you do not have to inform your neighbours, although you may still wish to do so. Please allow approximately 250-300mm square for concreting gate posts in and 150-200mm for railing posts.
Most posts are set to a depth of 500mm or less which is not usually a problem. However, if your proposed gate or railing is within 3 metres of your neighbour’s wall and you think that you will be excavating below the depth of their foundations then you must write to them and give them notice of your intentions.
