Fencing in Ilkeston
Fencing, gates and retaining boundaries across Ilkeston, Cotmanhay and Kirk Hallam — supplied and fitted, or supply only. Ilkeston is built on a hill, and a fair share of our work here is holding ground back as well as marking a line.
*Terms and conditions apply to our 12 month guarantee.
Terracing a Sloping Ilkeston Garden with Gravel Boards
A lawn falling steeply away from the house is one of the most common problems we are asked about in Ilkeston. This one was levelled by building a low retaining run from stacked rock-faced gravel boards between concrete posts, holding the higher ground and squaring off the lawn.
Stacked gravel boards used as a retaining boundary
Fencing and Gates in Ilkeston
Ilkeston sits on a hill, and it shows in the gardens. Plots on the slopes off Bath Street, around Cotmanhay and out toward Kirk Hallam frequently fall a metre or more from one end to the other, and a boundary on ground like that has two jobs: marking the line and, often, holding one side of it up.
The housing is a mix — Victorian and Edwardian terracing from the town's mining and lace years, interwar and postwar estate semis, and newer development around the edges. What they have in common is that a flat fence run is the exception rather than the rule.
We work supplied and fitted or supply only, and we are in Ilkeston regularly rather than occasionally — it is a straight run out from our Beechdale Road base.
What We Install in Ilkeston
Fencing a Sloping Garden: Step, Rake, or Retain
There are three honest answers to a boundary on a slope, and they cost very different amounts. Worth understanding before anyone quotes you.
- Step it. Each panel stays level and the run drops in steps between posts, leaving a triangular gap under each panel that gravel boards fill. Cheapest, works with standard panels, and looks deliberate if the steps are even. This is what most sloping gardens get.
- Rake it. The fence follows the ground with a continuous top line and no steps. It needs closeboard built in situ rather than pre-made panels, because each bay is effectively a parallelogram. More labour, better looking on a long open run.
- Retain it. Where one side genuinely needs holding back — a lawn you want level, a patio cut into a slope — the boundary becomes a low retaining structure with the fence above it, or in place of it.
Stacked concrete gravel boards are the workhorse for retaining low banks. Set between concrete posts, they will hold back a modest height of soil, cost a fraction of brickwork and have nothing in them to rot. They are not an engineered retaining wall. For anything much above knee height, holding a significant weight of ground, or anywhere failure would affect a neighbour or a structure, that is a job for a structural engineer and we will say so rather than build it. Retaining walls that come down take gardens with them.
Getting Rid of an Old Fence in Ilkeston
Ilkeston is in Erewash Borough — Derbyshire, not Nottinghamshire, and that catches people out constantly. A Derbyshire address will not get you into the Nottinghamshire county sites at Beeston or Giltbrook, and it will not get you into Nottingham City's site at Redfield Road either.
Your tip is Ilkeston Household Waste Recycling Centre, Elizabeth Court, Manners Avenue, Manners Industrial Estate, DE7 8EF, run by Derbyshire County Council. Entry is monitored by number plate recognition, so you must register your vehicle first — it is free, it is a one-off, each resident can register up to two vehicles, and it covers all of Derbyshire's recycling centres rather than just this one.
The bit that catches people out
Vans are not covered by that registration. A van needs a separate temporary permit, and you can only apply for one once you know the date you intend to visit. Borrowing a van on the day and driving straight down is the classic wasted Saturday.
Erewash's garden waste subscription will not help either: it is a paid annual service, in the thirties for a first bin since it was introduced, and treated timber is not garden waste in any case. Garden waste itself can be taken to the recycling centre free of charge if you would rather not subscribe.
We take the old fence away as part of the job — registered waste carrier, licence CBDU474286. Where waste comes from work a tradesperson has carried out, disposing of it is legally their responsibility, not yours.
Fence Heights and Permission
Permitted development in England generally allows 2 metres at a rear or side boundary and 1 metre where the boundary fronts a highway, including a footpath beside a road. Trellis counts toward the total.
On a slope there is a further wrinkle worth knowing: height is measured from ground level on the higher side, so a fence that looks 1.8m from your garden may be well over 2m from your neighbour's. Where a fence sits on top of a retaining structure, the two are measured together.
We are not planning consultants. Erewash Borough Council's planning team will confirm the position for your property at no cost.
Why Choose Nottingham Fencing
We are a local, family-run firm run by founders Adam and Stephen, based on Beechdale Road with over 15 years' experience across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and the Derbyshire border. Ilkeston is a regular run for us, and sloping ground is normal work here rather than a complication we meet occasionally.
- The old fence goes with us. Registered waste carrier, licence CBDU474286 — removal and disposal handled properly, nothing left on your drive.
- Measured before it is priced. The free survey is where we check post centres, ground levels and whether existing bases can be reused — which is what stops a price changing halfway through.
- Made to measure, not cut down. Gates are built to your opening rather than trimmed from a stock size, so they still swing properly a year later.
- Supply only if you want it. Happy to just sell you panels, posts, gravel boards and trellis if you are fitting it yourself.
- Insured and guaranteed. Public liability insurance in place and a 12 month guarantee on our work.*
- Reviewed by the people we have worked for. 4.9 out of 5 from over 160 Google reviews.
*Terms and conditions apply to our 12 month guarantee.
Areas We Cover Near Ilkeston
We cover Ilkeston and the towns on both sides of the county border:
Get a price for your Ilkeston fence
Send your measurements and a photo for a quick provisional price, or book a free measured survey — on sloping ground a photo tells us more than a length does.
Fencing in Ilkeston — Common Questions
My garden slopes. Should the fence step down or follow the ground?
Either works. Stepping keeps each panel level with a visible step between bays and suits standard panels — it is the cheaper option and what most sloping gardens get. Raking follows the slope with a continuous top line but needs closeboard built in situ rather than pre-made panels, so it costs more. On a long open run raking usually looks better.
Can concrete gravel boards be used to retain a bank?
For a low bank, yes — stacked between concrete posts they hold back a modest height of soil for a fraction of the cost of brickwork, and there is nothing in them to rot. They are not an engineered retaining wall. For anything much above knee height, or where failure would affect a neighbour or a building, you need a structural engineer, and we will tell you so.
How is fence height measured on a slope?
From ground level on the higher side. A fence that measures 1.8m from your garden can be well over 2m from a neighbour's if the ground drops. Where a fence sits on top of a retaining structure, the two are measured together for planning purposes.
Can I use the Beeston or Nottingham tips if I live in Ilkeston?
No. Ilkeston is in Derbyshire, so the Nottinghamshire county sites and Nottingham City's Redfield Road site are both closed to you. Your site is Ilkeston Household Waste Recycling Centre, Elizabeth Court, Manners Avenue, DE7 8EF.
Do I need to register to use the Ilkeston tip?
Yes. Entry is controlled by number plate recognition and you must register your vehicle with Derbyshire County Council first. It is free, it is a one-off, you can register up to two vehicles, and it covers every Derbyshire recycling centre. Vans are not included and need a separate temporary permit applied for once you know your visit date.
Can I put fence panels in the Erewash brown bin?
No. Erewash garden waste is a paid annual subscription and treated timber is not garden waste regardless. Garden waste can be taken to the Ilkeston recycling centre free of charge instead.
Do you take the old fence away?
Yes, as part of the job, to a licensed facility. We are a registered waste carrier, licence CBDU474286. If you would rather deal with the old materials yourself we will price the work without removal.
Do you cover the rest of Erewash?
Yes — Ilkeston, Cotmanhay, Kirk Hallam, Long Eaton and Sandiacre are all regular work for us, and the Derbyshire border is no obstacle. Our base is on Beechdale Road in Nottingham.
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Fencing Ilkeston
Garden Fencing Ilkeston
If you are looking to replace aspects or have a complete makeover of your garden or outside area in Ilkeston - Nottingham Fencing will be able to manage the whole process for you.
Our fencing team has over 15 years experience in fencing, landscaping, decking, paving and
driveways in Ilkeston we are the ideal fencing and landscape contractor to manage your fencing project from start to finish. We are focused on delighting our customers and getting the best outcome for you.
Why Choose us?
- Years of experience and many very satisfied customers across Nottinghamshire. Fast, friendly and efficient installation - trusted & reliable
- We offer a FREE survey and consultation to discuss best options for your budget and requirements – what have you got to lose?
- Work guaranteed and responsible removal of existing materials, including issuing of a waste certificate - leaving your premises pristine & giving you peace of mind
- Fencing & Landscaping contractors able to fix in challenging environments such as near trees, hedges and existing structures – we’ll get the job done
- With our broad service offering, we can complete your whole project in one go, only having to deal with one company - taking away stress & hassle for you
- As Landscapers in Nottingham, we have access to a wide variety of fence panels, patio finishes, decking materials, paving blocks, driveway blocks, sleepers, turf or artificial grass – to ensure you get the look you want
Fencing near me
If you are looking for new fencing near me and live in Ilkeston, look no further - get in contact with Nottingham Fencing, we'll be happy to make, measure and install the perfect fence for your garden
Garden Fencing in Ilkeston
Fencing in Ilkeston
We specialise in garden fencing and offer a supply and fit, or fit only service, which provides you with a massive choice of styles and budget options for garden fences.
As one of the leading fencing contractors in Ilkeston we have access to a wide range of styles and materials from wooden fence panels to plastic, composite UPVC fencing, metal and concrete. With our Landscaping experience we have an eye for what fencing supplies would complement a garden makeover either at the time, or later stage. That's why wherever possible we like to meet you, understand your requirements and see the lay of the land - so we can provide an accurate, fixed quote.
We've provided much more information on our fencing page but here is a short overview of the main items to consider for a new garden fence:
Fence Posts
These provide the backbone to your fence, so it's critical that these are correctly installed - set into concrete at a suitable depth for the type and size of fence you have chosen. These are available in wood, metal, concrete and composite materials, however for a long lasting fence we would generally avoid recommending wooden fence posts.
Fence Panels
The most popular type of panel is wooden, however as more and more people are spending more time in their gardens having a good looking fence, which sets the background to the rest of your horticultural exploits has let to a rise in the popularity of metal and in particular plastic, composite fence panels. These need little to no maintenance and stay looking good for well over 10 years. This allows you to spend time on the fun part of gardening rather than rubbing down a wooden fence to then paint or treat on a regular basis. That said, wooden fence panels offer the widest variety of styles and are typically the cheapest option.
Have a look at any of the following pages to get more information on each type of fence:
Wooden Fence Panel
Composite Fences
Concrete Gravel Boards
Security Fencing
Metal Railings
Trellis
