Fencing in Wantage covers everything from Victorian terraces near the Market Place to the newer estates in Grove and larger gardens in Letcombe Regis and Letcombe Bassett. Gardens closer to the downs can catch the wind, so it's worth thinking about stronger closeboard or featheredge on concrete posts rather than lightweight panels if your fence has come down before. On newer Grove homes, the most common jobs are replacing the builder's original fencing, adding privacy screening and fitting secure side gates. Wantage is in the Vale of White Horse, so the council to check with for planning questions is the Vale. Tell us roughly how long the fence is, what's there now and when you'd like it done, and we'll share your request with up to three local fencers who cover the area.
Under national permitted development rules, a fence, wall or gate can usually be up to 2 metres high, or 1 metre next to a road used by vehicles, without planning permission. Different rules can apply at listed buildings, in conservation areas and on some estates with planning conditions, so check with Vale of White Horse District Council if you're unsure.
Towards the Letcombes the ground gets chalkier and can be flinty, which makes digging post holes slower. It's fair for quotes to reflect that, so ask what ground conditions each fencer has allowed for.
Concrete or timber gravel boards along the bottom stop panels sitting in wet ground and usually make them last longer.
On newer estates, check your planning conditions or house deeds before changing front boundaries. Some estates were designed with open-plan frontages.
Conservation areas and listed buildings. Wantage has two conservation areas (Town Centre and Charlton), and Grove and the Letcombes have their own. If that applies to you, check with Vale of White Horse District Council before you start. This is general guidance, not planning advice.