DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Sorry if this has been covered in another area of the board but I couldn't find it.

I am about to embark upon a project to make our back garden a more usable space. Currently it is flat at the top for approx 3 metres out from the house then has a slope down for about 3.5 metres with a change in elevation of approx 0.6 metres. The overall width of the garden is 11.5 metres.

What I'm proposing to do is to build a wall and to backfill the space to make aarea level with teh house for a lawn on the left hand side. And on the right dig out from the edge where the slope starts to the back creating a sunken area for a deck which will be joined to a deck at the top via stairs.

The problems I can forsee/need advice on are as follows:-

1) The boundary fence between my property and my neighbour over the back is 1.5 metres high. If I build up the left hand side would I be able to put up a fence on the part I have built up and if so what height can it be?

2) Would I require planning permission to do the raising of garden?

3) Would the wall have to be single or double skin?

Thanking you in advance for any help.

Cheers,

Stan.

STAN,

RECOMMEND YOU CHECK YOUR DEEDS TO THE PROPERTY AS THERE MAY BE A CLAUSE CONTAINED WITHIN THAT RESTRICTS THE HEIGHT OF BOUNDARY FENCES/WALLS.

ALL BEING WELL;

1). IF YOU DISCUSS YOUR PROPOSAL WITH YOUR NEIGHBOUR AND THEY AGREE TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE BOUNDARY FENCE/WALL THAT DOES NOT EXCEED ANY LIMITATIONS THEN NO PERMISSION SHOULD BE REQUIRED.

IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE CHECKING WITH LOCAL PLANNING OFFICE TO SEE WHAT THE LIMITATION HEIGHT FOR FENCES/WALLS IS IN YOUR LOCALITY TO ASSESS WHETHER A PLANNING APPLICATION WILL BE NEEDED IF THIS HEIGHT HAS TO BE EXCEEDED IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED PRIVACY.

2). SHOULDN'T BE REQUIRED?
ADDITIONALLY CHECKOUT THE DRAINS AS ANY ALTERATIONS TO THESE MAY REQUIRE BUILDING CONTROL/WATER AUTHORITY APPROVAL.

3). DOUBLE SKIN FOR A RETAINING WALL ON A GOOD FOUNDATION.
CONSIDER BUILDING THE WALL IN PLACE OF THE EXISTING FENCE AS A COMBINED BOUNDARY/RETAINING WALL AND TEEING THIS BACK UP THE CENTRE OF THE GARDEN ALBEIT AT A REDUCED HEIGHT TO PROVIDE THE SIDE RETAINER FOR THE LEVELED OFF AREA/SUNKEN AREA.

REGARDS,

ALDA.

Thanks ALDA. I have spoken to the local planning office and they don't think planning permission will be required but still to submit a letter of my intentions and someone will visit the site and check.

The brickie was round and advised the same as you about double skin wall. With a 12" wide by 12" deep found.

IT IS IMPORTANTANT TO NOTE THAT THE WIDTH OF THE FOUNDATION SHOULD BE SUSTANTIAL TO PREVENT WALL KEALING OVER.

HEIGHT OF RETAINING WALL/FOUNDATION WIDTH/DEPTH
300/400/250
500/450/275
800/500/300
1000/600/325