Six common garden improvements that could cost you THOUSANDS… and it’s bad news if you’ve let your hedge grow too high

SPRING is fast approaching, which means people will start to think about what improvements they can make to their gardens.

But these jobs can sometimes end up causing more problems than they're worth - with a gardening expert revealing there are six improvements that could subject you to fines of up to £20,000.

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Sean Bunyan, Head of Commercial Operations at leading home improvement specialists, Eurocell, explained that the rules you have to stick to are around Permitted Development (PD).

"PD is a concept in UK planning law that allows homeowners to carry out certain types of home and garden design work without obtaining planning permission," Sean said

"PD allows for smaller-scale projects that meet specific criteria outlined by legislation.

"All projects, however, must comply with the predefined rules."

One common project people take on in their gardens is the installation of decking.

However, "there are still strict rules to follow when putting up your new seating area".

"Currently, regulations state that any decking that rises 30cm or more off the ground is subject to planning permission," Sean explained.

"The same can be said if you plan to install decking that occupies 50% or more of your total outdoor space, whether that be in the front or the back garden."

You also have to be careful with the spacing railings or balustrades.

"Failure to acquire the proper planning permission from the council could result in a hefty fine, or an enforcement notice requiring you to remove or amend the size of your new deck," Sean added.

"Failing to follow building regulations can result in fines beginning at £50 a day, although the severity of the fine can increase depending on whether or not you live in a protected area, and the scale of work undertaken."

You also need to be aware of PD rules when changing the height of your garden, as doing so could impact "retaining walls, drainage, pipework or your neighbour's property".

The same goes for garden rooms.

While many people add garden rooms for more space, they can even add value to a home.

But you need to make sure it's less than 2.4 metres high, and is 1 metre away from any boundaries to avoid having to seek planning permission.

However, if a garden room is added to the "principal front elevation of a home", is built in a conservation area, or is placed on the "property of a listed building" you may need to obtain permission.

Going ahead without permission could lead you to be subjected to fine.

And while you could apply for retrospective approval, a planning officer might require you to alter the plans - even if building is finished.

"Failure to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence and you can face prosecution," Sean said.

Creating a driveway space might be tempting if you've only got on-road parking but, by law, "you can only create a driveway space where there is already a dropped kerb in place".

Adding a dropped kerb requires a £300 licence, and could cost an additional £3,000.

Meanwhile, it's important to also keep an eye on the height of your hedges.

According to the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, it's the "homeowner’s responsibility to keep their hedges maintained".

If a neighbour has an issue then they can complain to the local authority and, if they are found to have been negatively impacted by a tall hedge, a formal notice can be issued to the homeowner, alongside a fine of up to £1,000.

Finally, you also need to be careful when putting fences up - specifically the height of them.

"The maximum height for fencing is two metres, or 6'6," Sean said.

"It is possible to erect fencing higher than this limit, but you’ll need to acquire planning permission beforehand."

"While it might seem unreasonable to find yourself liable to pay a fine for improving your own garden space, rules around planning permission are in place for a reason," Sean added.

"Nobody wants to be spoiling things for their neighbours, or undertaking risky projects that could cause longer-term issues down the road. 

“That being said, it is perfectly possible to undertake major gardening projects that don’t require planning permission.

“Regardless of the project being undertaken, it’s important for people to do their research before they commit to starting any work.

"That way, people can avoid being hit by a hefty fine, or having a visit from the planning officer!"