Check the height of a 'party fence' first with your council - I think it's normally 2 metres, but may even be slightly higher. Offset your posts as previously suggested, erect a fence and then replant your climbers.
Just bear in mind that if there's six foot sections on the fence and you do your posts half way in between, you'll have concrete every three feet, because you'll have the neighbour's post holes as well as your own. Be generous with the nutrition you put in when planting
I'd use a few taller evergreen shrubs as well if you have room - some will grow happily against fences and give height without too much depth.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My neighbour creosoted our fence that awful ginger colour. I've managed to hide most of it. I haven't grown anything up it though, I've put things in front of it like these really tall yellow daisies, Fennel and a Patio Rose in an Obolisk. Of course, this only solves the problem in the summer, and the Daisies ( abot 7ft tall) are absolute hooligans and have to be pulled up as they spread like mad. I know it sounds drastic, but could you change the layout of your garden so it was mostly over on their fence side, say have a big border all along the fence and a path on the other side? As for slim things to plant, our local Waitrose has some lovely dainty silver birch. They've been in about 10 yrs and don't seem to have grown much. i don't think they are cheap though.
To Jennifer 10. Please look up the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, Part 8, item 66. You can find it on-line. Item 66 refers to 'evergreens' in its three sub-sections. I quote the 3rd section; ' in this section 'evergreen' means an evergreen tree or shrub or a semi-evergreen tree or shrub'. Conifers are not menrtioned but obviously included.
What I did get wrong was the permitted height. Sub-section 1 defines a hedge as high if it 'rises to a height of more than two metres above the ground', that is just over 6½ feet, so not much help to James.
and this - 'People normally do not need permission to plant a hedge in their garden. And there are no general restrictions on how high you can grow your hedge. The rules that govern the height of boundary walls and fences do not apply to hedges.'
Busy-Lizzie's idea looks good. Or put high posts inside boundary, connect with plastic coated fence mesh, only has to be across some parts of it (green squares I'm thinking) and grow rambling roses etc up that on both sides.
All right Jenny 10, A hedge above 6½ feet is not actually illegal, but neighbours can object, and oblige it to be cut to that height. Given the attitude of James's neighbours they probably would. It isn't worth taking the chance.
I also know from experience that conifers are quite greedy. They take a lot of moisture and change the nature of the soil. They could make it difficult for the climbers, which James has, to do well.
I still think his best bet is with arches. Have a look at gardenarch.org.uk, or Amazon - there are several other sites as well. Some of the metal arches are even cheaper than I had imagined. They come with spikes which go into the ground, so no need for concrete. James could put trellis behind them, from the ground to their full height (or nearly), and support it on the arches. He could even put a seat in one of them! I think it could look really good, and also not look as though he was trying to block out things he didn't want to see! If he does this I'd love to see a photo of the result. Afterthought - Wisteria would be another good plant to grow over the arches.
The height restriction of a fence is about 6" - if you put a trellis on top then you will be over the height restriction for most councils, as most councils will include the trellis as part of the whole thing.
Can go to talk to the council and explain that privacy is an issue and apply for taller fences - you can go much higher with planning permission. I would guess that this may need next door's approval tho.
You can always risk it as long as don't take the mick? Put a 7/8ft instead of a 10ft fence along or something. Breaching planning isn't a criminal offence and the worst they can do is to ask you to take it down. I see a lot of people with much taller fences around and there seems to be little bother. There are rules about taller fences that block views for road users or something like that (can't remember) but I should imagine the back garden wouldn't be a problem like that.
One other thought is growing bamboo. Only thing I know about that is that it can be vigorous with the roots and need to be contained. Good, natural screening tho!
Whatever type of structure you put up, make sure it's concreted in and is sturdy. Once you attach climbers to anything there's a lot of weight. Anything flimsy or just stuck in the ground will fall down in the first strong gust of wind, and could cause big problems.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When I first opened this post I thought an eye saw was some sort of relative of the saw fly! Duhhhh you meant eyesore
Busy Lizzie, I like that rustic trellis. Definitely an idea worth of copying and something I will do to hide where I've a bit stuff I would like to seclude.
With regard to the OP: When it comes to disputes with neighbours it's always preferable to try to settle things amicably and by mutual agreement. It's really not a good idea to plan to go to war or to try to "outfence" or call in troops such as the council until you have made every effort to do things by consensus.
Being at war with neighbours is expensive, stressful and remember for every winner there's a loser. You don't want to get into that situation.
It's always difficult when there's change too and the arrival of the new people and removal of their shed meant just that. It's a shame you'd not erected a fence on your boundary side instead of using the shed when you did your planting but that's called "hindsight".
Sounds like it's time for some creative and fast growing soft landscaping and a cup of tea and a chat with your new neighbours.
It may be worth checking with your solicitor who owns the boundary between you and your neighbour: it will be in the deeds to your property. If the boundary is yours then the fence is legally yours irrespective of who erected it. We have had excellent neighbours for the past 47 years. The fence between us was always "ramshackle" 1st chain link wire but she then replaced it with home made slats from builders pallets which she got a friend to make. It lasted a few years but eventually began to fall apart and we knew she didn't have the money to do anything about it so I offered to replace the fence and pay for it, which she very gladly accepted so now we have a nice fence just 5ft high & good quality. I am under no illusions though, the boundary is (was) hers - (she, (June) died about 3years ago but stipulated in her will that her lodger could stay there for the rest of his days), so although I paid for it, when our now elderly neighbour goes and June's son sells the property any new neighbour can legally do what they like with the fence so long as a proper boundary partition is left in place.
Why I say this is, if the boundary legally belongs to you then you can affix anything you like to it so long as you stay within legal limits; irrespective as to who built it.
If the boundary is theirs then having a pergola (say 8ft high) on your side and growing something like a wisteria over it will give you the pleasure of attractive screening with a plant that will hold the pergola firmly to the ground even if it is free standing (though it will take a few years to be robust & strong enough to do that).
Good advice though has already been given regarding not making an enemy of your neighbour as no one wins in that scenario. John H
Posts
Check the height of a 'party fence' first with your council - I think it's normally 2 metres, but may even be slightly higher. Offset your posts as previously suggested, erect a fence and then replant your climbers.
Just bear in mind that if there's six foot sections on the fence and you do your posts half way in between, you'll have concrete every three feet, because you'll have the neighbour's post holes as well as your own. Be generous with the nutrition you put in when planting
I'd use a few taller evergreen shrubs as well if you have room - some will grow happily against fences and give height without too much depth.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My neighbour creosoted our fence that awful ginger colour. I've managed to hide most of it. I haven't grown anything up it though, I've put things in front of it like these really tall yellow daisies, Fennel and a Patio Rose in an Obolisk. Of course, this only solves the problem in the summer, and the Daisies ( abot 7ft tall) are absolute hooligans and have to be pulled up as they spread like mad. I know it sounds drastic, but could you change the layout of your garden so it was mostly over on their fence side, say have a big border all along the fence and a path on the other side? As for slim things to plant, our local Waitrose has some lovely dainty silver birch. They've been in about 10 yrs and don't seem to have grown much. i don't think they are cheap though.
To Jennifer 10. Please look up the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, Part 8, item 66. You can find it on-line. Item 66 refers to 'evergreens' in its three sub-sections. I quote the 3rd section; ' in this section 'evergreen' means an evergreen tree or shrub or a semi-evergreen tree or shrub'. Conifers are not menrtioned but obviously included.
What I did get wrong was the permitted height. Sub-section 1 defines a hedge as high if it 'rises to a height of more than two metres above the ground', that is just over 6½ feet, so not much help to James.
I don't know Rozie. A quick google gives me this - quite interesting - no legal height for a hedge.
http://www.bradford.gov.uk/bmdc/the_environment/planning_service/trees/high_hedges_and_hedgerow_regulations
and this - 'People normally do not need permission to plant a hedge in their garden. And there are no general restrictions on how high you can grow your hedge. The rules that govern the height of boundary walls and fences do not apply to hedges.'
from here - http://www.mylawyer.co.uk/high-hedges-a-A76076D35161/
Busy-Lizzie's idea looks good. Or put high posts inside boundary, connect with plastic coated fence mesh, only has to be across some parts of it (green squares I'm thinking) and grow rambling roses etc up that on both sides.
All right Jenny 10, A hedge above 6½ feet is not actually illegal, but neighbours can object, and oblige it to be cut to that height. Given the attitude of James's neighbours they probably would. It isn't worth taking the chance.
I also know from experience that conifers are quite greedy. They take a lot of moisture and change the nature of the soil. They could make it difficult for the climbers, which James has, to do well.
I still think his best bet is with arches. Have a look at gardenarch.org.uk, or Amazon - there are several other sites as well. Some of the metal arches are even cheaper than I had imagined. They come with spikes which go into the ground, so no need for concrete. James could put trellis behind them, from the ground to their full height (or nearly), and support it on the arches. He could even put a seat in one of them! I think it could look really good, and also not look as though he was trying to block out things he didn't want to see! If he does this I'd love to see a photo of the result. Afterthought - Wisteria would be another good plant to grow over the arches.
Thanks Jenny 10. I didn't think it was illegal..
The height restriction of a fence is about 6" - if you put a trellis on top then you will be over the height restriction for most councils, as most councils will include the trellis as part of the whole thing.
Can go to talk to the council and explain that privacy is an issue and apply for taller fences - you can go much higher with planning permission. I would guess that this may need next door's approval tho.
You can always risk it as long as don't take the mick? Put a 7/8ft instead of a 10ft fence along or something. Breaching planning isn't a criminal offence and the worst they can do is to ask you to take it down. I see a lot of people with much taller fences around and there seems to be little bother. There are rules about taller fences that block views for road users or something like that (can't remember) but I should imagine the back garden wouldn't be a problem like that.
One other thought is growing bamboo. Only thing I know about that is that it can be vigorous with the roots and need to be contained. Good, natural screening tho!
Whatever type of structure you put up, make sure it's concreted in and is sturdy. Once you attach climbers to anything there's a lot of weight. Anything flimsy or just stuck in the ground will fall down in the first strong gust of wind, and could cause big problems.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When I first opened this post I thought an eye saw was some sort of relative of the saw fly!
Duhhhh you meant eyesore 
Busy Lizzie, I like that rustic trellis. Definitely an idea worth of copying and something I will do to hide where I've a bit stuff I would like to seclude.
With regard to the OP: When it comes to disputes with neighbours it's always preferable to try to settle things amicably and by mutual agreement. It's really not a good idea to plan to go to war or to try to "outfence" or call in troops such as the council until you have made every effort to do things by consensus.
Being at war with neighbours is expensive, stressful and remember for every winner there's a loser. You don't want to get into that situation.
It's always difficult when there's change too and the arrival of the new people and removal of their shed meant just that. It's a shame you'd not erected a fence on your boundary side instead of using the shed when you did your planting but that's called "hindsight".
Sounds like it's time for some creative and fast growing soft landscaping and a cup of tea and a chat with your new neighbours.
Sound advice Northernlass
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It may be worth checking with your solicitor who owns the boundary between you and your neighbour: it will be in the deeds to your property. If the boundary is yours then the fence is legally yours irrespective of who erected it. We have had excellent neighbours for the past 47 years. The fence between us was always "ramshackle" 1st chain link wire but she then replaced it with home made slats from builders pallets which she got a friend to make. It lasted a few years but eventually began to fall apart and we knew she didn't have the money to do anything about it so I offered to replace the fence and pay for it, which she very gladly accepted so now we have a nice fence just 5ft high & good quality. I am under no illusions though, the boundary is (was) hers - (she, (June) died about 3years ago but stipulated in her will that her lodger could stay there for the rest of his days), so although I paid for it, when our now elderly neighbour goes and June's son sells the property any new neighbour can legally do what they like with the fence so long as a proper boundary partition is left in place.
Why I say this is, if the boundary legally belongs to you then you can affix anything you like to it so long as you stay within legal limits; irrespective as to who built it.
If the boundary is theirs then having a pergola (say 8ft high) on your side and growing something like a wisteria over it will give you the pleasure of attractive screening with a plant that will hold the pergola firmly to the ground even if it is free standing (though it will take a few years to be robust & strong enough to do that).
Good advice though has already been given regarding not making an enemy of your neighbour as no one wins in that scenario. John H