Planning permission refused for 1.8m garden fence in Glasgow

An existing 1.8-metre-high garden fence in Glasgow, which aimed to address privacy concerns, has been refused planning permission and now faces alterations.

Council planners were concerned about the fence on Thornliebank Road being too high and that its design would have a detrimental impact on the street and home.

Network Rail installed the 18 metre long fence without council consent in consultation with the home owners as part of bridge improvement work.

A statement from Network Rail said the public used to throw litter into the property and push it through gaps in the previous fence but now that is no longer happening.

But Glasgow City Council planning officials say the fence is contrary to planning guidance- and refused permission in July.

That refusal was upheld by councillors today at the planning local review committee after Network Rail launched an appeal.

The planning document reads: “In consultation with the home owners Network Rail have installed fencing at a height, which meets their privacy requirements. We note SG1 (planning guidance) states that fences and walls should not exceed 1 metre in height.”

Pointing out she sympathised with the argument for a “higher fence”, councillor Mhairi Hunter said: “I don’t have an issue with the height of the fence as I think the privacy issues need to be taken into account of the visual amenity.”

She added: “I have an issue with the quality of the fence. To me it looks like a fairly temporary installation. Given that Network Rail are not going to be assuming responsibility for it going forward I don’t think it is acceptable just to leave it the way it is.”

Councillor Imran Alam said: “We want the residents of the property to have some privacy – we are not saying they should not have the fence but obviously something not as high or with different materials. Maybe another applications should be submitted.”

Also backing refusal, councillor Jill Pidgeon said: “I don’t have an issue with the fence at all – I understand the need for privacy but the material and aesthetics around it are an issue.”

She recommended applicants reapply with a “different look”.

Among a number of points made, an appeal statement from Network Rail said: “Network Rail have considered what mitigation measures could be applied and sought advice from Development Management in this respect.

“As set out in our planning statement none of the suggestions met with the requirements of the owners, without whom this major road and railway infrastructure project could have taken place. The use of their garden for a temporary pedestrian and services bridge was critical to the delivery of the project which took around 15 months.”