Wednesday October 7th 2026
Offending fence
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
An appeal has been launched after an “over-bearing” 6ft high garden fence in Selkirk was refused planning permission.
A retrospective planning bid was rejected by Scottish Borders Council for the timber boundary fence at a semi-detached property in Lauriston Gardens.
The structure was erected in May 2024 due to security concerns from a disabled householder and amid a desire for privacy.
The retrospective planning bid was refused after the fence’s visual impact was judged “over-bearing”.
When members of SBC’s Local Review Body met in November last year they voted by a majority of six votes to three to uphold refusal.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Sandy Scott said: “I can understand the applicant’s possible wish for a high fence for privacy or to keep the dog in, or whatever it might be.
“However, I find this fence too stark and ‘in your face’.”
Now the couple who erected the fence are asking the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division to overturn refusal.
An appeal statement says the couple feel “persecuted” after being told to reduce the fence to 3ft.
The statement says: “The applicant applied (retrospectively) for it all to be kept, which was refused.
“Then they appealed, asking if they could at least extend the taller section just to the corner where their tree stands (approx. length 2ft) and they would still reduce the fence facing Bannerfield Drive as suggested. That was also refused.
“Now it appears they are expected to reduce the entire fence to the original 3ft.
“According to Scottish Borders Council records, they are the only people to have ever submitted a planning application (retrospective or otherwise) for fencing in their housing scheme since 2002, yet they are being persecuted.
“There are several 6ft fences and high hedges which surround properties throughout the scheme.
“They kept to the requirements of it being 3ft to the front of the property.”
One objector told SBC that the fence was proving a traffic hazard, stating: “The entrance to get onto Bannerfield Drive is obscured by the already erected fence.
“You are unable to safely pull out of the junction as you are unable to see clearly if any vehicle is on the roundabout or in fact leaving the junction from Lauriston Gardens itself.
“There have been several near misses and there have been a number of irate drivers blasting there horns at this.”
An appeal decision is expected within 12 weeks.
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