Latest news with #GeneralPermittedDevelopment
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport outbuilding can be used as wellness centre
The outbuilding of the property on Allt-Yr-Yn Road, Newport, will be transformed into a Reiki healing and yoga centre. The decision was made under application 25/0242, a Lawful Development Certificate for proposed use. The applicant can now officially operate the centre, which has been deemed suitable for the residential area. The outbuilding, located in the rear garden of the semi-detached property, has been in existence since at least 2006, as confirmed by aerial images. The centre will be open from Monday to Thursday, offering sessions between 9.30am and 6pm. Each session typically hosts one client and lasts for one hour and 15 minutes, with a maximum of two sessions per day. On rare occasions, up to four clients may be present at the same time. The clients are mostly local and are expected to walk to the sessions, with alternative parking areas identified for those who drive. Councillor Fouweather raised concerns about operating a business in a residential area, but no other objections were recorded. The planning consideration concluded that the proposed use of the outbuilding does not constitute a material change of use because of the limited and infrequent numbers of clients. The centre's operations are expected to have minimal noise and traffic impacts, consistent with the norms for a residential area. The proposed activities have been deemed consistent with the residential context. The decision was made under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(Amendment)(Wales) Order 2013. The decision includes reference to specific documents: Building Plans V2.0, Application Form, and a confirming email received on May 8, 2025. The proposal is consistent with Newport's Well-Being Plan 2018–23 objectives.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
New UK garden fence law 'simplifies' rules but households could face £20k fine
New UK garden fence rules came into force in May 2025 and govern the height of fences in your front and back garden - and breaching them could result in a hefty fine UK homeowners with gardens are being alerted to potential fines of up to a whopping £20,000. This comes after new regulations were enforced in May 2025 as part of "The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015", which streamlines the guidelines for altering boundaries, hedges or erecting new fences. Which? Legal Expert Gurpreet Chhokar issued a cautionary note, saying: "If you're thinking of putting up a new garden fence this summer, there are a few important things to bear in mind to make sure you don't break any laws and find yourself landed with a fine." For rear garden fences, the law permits structures up to two metres high without the need for planning permission. Gurpreet explained: "If you don't have planning permission then your fence can't be any higher than two metres from the ground." Front garden fences are restricted to one metre in height if they face a footpath, road, or public area, equating to just over three feet, reports Birmingham Live. Gurpreet further advised: "There will also be some cases where planning permission will be needed if the fence is more than a meter high - such as if it borders a highway or the footpath of a highway if you're not sure, then it's worth getting in touch with your local planning authority (which is usually your local council) to check." As a rule of thumb, when it comes to fence replacement, the left-hand side of your garden – as viewed from the street – typically falls under your jurisdiction. If you find that the "rough" side of the fence is facing your property, it's likely your responsibility to keep it in good repair. Homeowners and businesses have been cautioned that failing to maintain their fences could result in fines reaching up to £5,000 for private residents or £20,000 for commercial entities. This reminder comes at an opportune moment, as UK households gear up for gardening chores and outdoor DIY projects during the summer season.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huge 17.5-metre phone mast could be installed next to Beckenham flats
A new 17.5-metre phone mast could be coming to Beckenham. The mast, which would support six antennas and two dish antennas, is proposed for land adjacent to Flat 1, Beckenham Court, The Avenue. A phone mast, or cell tower, is a tall structure equipped with antennas and technology that send and receive radio signals, enabling mobile phone communication. The application, submitted by Cornerstone, also includes plans for two equipment cabinets at ground level and associated development works. Bromley Council has confirmed it has received the application and is now inviting public comments. The full application is available to view on the council's public access website using reference number 25/01541. Comments must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director (Planning) at the Civic Centre, Churchill Court, 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, BR1 1AS, within 21 days of the notice's publication. The council will then determine whether prior approval is required for the siting and appearance of the telecommunications apparatus. The consultation period is part of the standard process for such proposals, allowing residents to express any concerns or support for the development. The application has been submitted under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2015, which covers the installation of telecommunications infrastructure. Want to find out all the latest planning applications, alcohol licensing applications and planned road closures near you? Then search the Public Notice Portal. The Public Notice Portal is owned and operated by the News Media Association, the voice of UK national, regional, and local newspapers in all their print and digital forms. NMA members include nearly 900 local and regional news titles which reach 40 million people across the length and breadth of the country each month. Many of these publications have served their communities for centuries and remain the most reliable source of verified news and information. Created by local news publishers and supported by the Google News Initiative, the portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood.
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Homeowners with garden fences told to 'contact council' or risk £20k fine
New rules came in last week under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 give households guidance - here's all you need to know UK homeowners with garden fences could be slapped with hefty £20,000 fines for a common blunder following new regulations. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 has recently updated guidelines for households. Which? legal expert Gurpreet Chhokar warned: "If you're thinking of putting up a new garden fence this summer, there are a few important things to bear in mind to make sure you don't break any laws and find yourself landed with a fine." Gurpreet advised: "If you don't have planning permission then your fence can't be any higher than two metres from the ground." While rear garden fences can stand at two metres, stricter rules apply to front garden barriers, reports Birmingham Live. Front garden fences must not exceed one metre - just over three feet - according to the new guidance. Gurpreet further explained: "There will also be some cases where planning permission will be needed if the fence is more than a meter high - such as if it borders a highway or the footpath of a highway if you're not sure, then it's worth getting in touch with your local planning authority (which is usually your local council) to check." Before making alterations or enhancements to your property, it's crucial to determine whether planning permission is required. Proceeding without the necessary permissions could result in being forced to revert any changes made. Jimmy Englezos, from Ronseal, warned: "If it's your neighbour who owns the fence, you must seek permission from them before making any changes to your property's side of the fence, this includes hanging fairy lights, drilling holes or growing vertical plants. "Similarly, if you want to lean something against the fence or grow plants next to it that may make contact with the fence, you have to seek permission from the owners first as it could cause damage." He further warns: "If you own the fence, you can decorate the space however you like, as long as it doesn't place your neighbour or their property at risk." And don't forget, causing a statutory nuisance with your fence, like flooding or blocked drains, might hit you with fines up to £5,000 – or even £20,000 if you're running a business.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Garden privacy fence mistake could land you a £20,000 fine – check the latest rules
Find out what easy mistakes could land you a hefty fine FENCED IN Garden privacy fence mistake could land you a £20,000 fine – check the latest rules Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THINKING of putting up a new garden fence this summer? You might want to check the rules first or you could land yourself a hefty fine and even end up in court. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Its important to check the rules before putting up a privacy fence UK boundary rules mean your humble garden fence could turn into a legal nightmare if you get it wrong. Whether you're upgrading panels or building from scratch, the regulations are clear and local councils aren't afraid to crack down. New rules which came in last week under the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 outline what homeowners can build without needing full planning permission. Here's what the law has to say about fences. Back garden fence For a back garden fence, you're allowed a fence up to two metres high (that's about six foot six) without needing planning permission. Go any higher, even with a decorative trellis, and you'll need to get approval first. Skip this step and you could be forced to tear it down, or even worse – face enforcement action. Front fence At the front of your property, things get stricter. Fences can't go above one metre if you live next to a footpath, road or public space. That's just over three feet tall. It's designed to help visibility for drivers and pedestrians but plenty of homeowners are caught out. Privacy Fences vs Trees: Smart Solutions for Your Garden Breaching planning rules can lead to an enforcement notice and, in some cases, fines. If your fence causes a statutory nuisance, such as flooding or blocked drains, you could face penalties of up to £5,000 or £20,000 for a business under environmental regulations. Ignore it, and things can escalate to court. Neighbour disputes are the most common property complaint in the UK and they often boil down to where the boundary actually is. Before building, measure up carefully and chat things through with your neighbour. Snapping a few photos and getting a handshake agreement could save you a legal headache down the line. Replacing a fence When it comes to replacing a fence, there's a rough rule: the left-hand side of your garden (as seen from the street) is usually your responsibility. If the 'rough' side of the fence faces you, chances are it's yours to maintain. But the only way to be certain is by checking your title deeds. If there's a letter 'T' on the boundary line, it's down to you. An 'H' means it's a shared fence, so both parties are responsible. If things still aren't clear, you and your neighbour can draw up a boundary agreement to make it official. It should include your names, addresses, and a clear description of the agreed boundary. You can even sketch it on a map. To get it formally recorded, you'll need to apply to HM Land Registry and pay a £40 fee. And don't assume the new national rules overrule everything. If you live on an estate with open-plan front gardens or in a conservation area, your property might be subject to extra rules about fence types, colours, or height limits. So be sure to ask permission before going ahead with any fence plans. You can find more information on privacy fence boundaries on the webpage. Meanwhile, experts from Which? revealed a useful guide to avoid disputes when decorating your fence. Elsewhere, fence professionals have explained the rules you need to know to avoid falling into neighbourly disputes.
