Ponds and the law UK

[Richard Porter]

just about finished construction of our koi pond. Will add pictures. We have had a phone call from Leeds city council to say that one of our neighbours has complained about the height of the new fence we have built. We prompltly reduced the height and the neighbour is now fine about it. The council are sending a planning officer round in next few days to see what we have done. There is very little info out there about needing planning for building a pond. I rung the council who have said that it is a grey area. One officer stated that as long as the ponds were not over a meter deep you dont require any planning but another said that ponds are treated as outbuildings and therefore engineering works which may require planning. Our pond is 1m and 5cm deep. Any advice would really be appreciated as this is a very worrying time.

 

[Stephen Noble]

Richard, do they measure the 1-meter depth from ground level to the top of the pond? Or do they measure the 1-meter depth inside, from the floor of the pond to the top? Or is the depth simply a measure of the water’s depth?
Stephen

 

[Lisak1]

I know nothing about the laws in the UK - just wanted to offer some moral support! Do you know the laws regarding pools in yards? That might give you something to compare to.

I would like to complain about my neighbor's fence, too - but I want him to make it higher! haha!

 

[addy1]

lol we have a old falling down farm fence, I.e. just some rails. Plants do the work here. But also our houses are pretty spread out.

 

[Richard Porter]

Richard, do they measure the 1-meter depth from ground level to the top of the pond? Or do they measure the 1-meter depth inside, from the floor of the pond to the top? Or is the depth simply a measure of the water’s depth?
Stephen

Absolutely no idea to be honest. Common sense would say depth of water

 

[Lisak1]

Common sense would say depth of water

Now don't get caught up in common sense when you're dealing with local officials. haha!

 

[Mmathis]

@Richard Porter What a bummer situation! I don’t mind rules [to some extent], but when no one can decide — or as my Mom used to say: the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing — it gets so darn frustrating!

I find it’s sometimes easier to abide by these inconsistencies if I understand “where they are coming from.” Just fishing here, but curious [since I don’t know what to tell you], how tall is your fence and what did they want it reduced to? Is there by any chance that a tall fence would block local vistas or otherwise be a safety issue?

 

[Becky]

I can't see that you'd have a problem, unless you live in a place where there are specific bylaws. Check out this link:

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/43/outbuildings

 

[GBBUDD]

If your worried about the 5 cm i'd get some stone and fil the bottom up to the needed depth then when there's the need to clean the bottom of your pond you can clean it ALL out.