Hi Carole,

There is quite a few options as you are going to be re doing the driveway and repairing the retaining, what is on the other side of the fence?

One option would be to put in a set of steps with a dog leg in them allowing the steps to be bigger and feel more grand, this would also enable you to put some planting on both sides of the steps to soften the space down.

Ultimately a lot of this is going to be dictated by what is happening on the other side of that fence and the planting will need to tie in with the planting on the left hand side. I would recommend getting a local Landscape Designer to come and look at the space and address it as a whole to ensure a great and cohesive landscape is achieved.

Thanks,

Will

Sweeping steps could work, because this will make the sweep of the driveway work as part of the visual welcome to your home. It will also give them a bit more presence. The current steps look quite small and abrupt, so do not invite you in.

The fence creates quite a barrier there. It shuts off the access to your home visually, and is very harsh. If you really need a fence there, can you make it at least partly permeable to at least have some sense of there being somewhere to go? A front entrance needs to lead you in and it presently leads to the drive then stops very suddenly.

A horizontally slatted fence could work with the current balcony balustrade and help to update it while keeping its character.

If the fence could be behind the steps and the front door, as well as being semi permeable, it would be even more welcoming.

Some plantings will also help to soften all the hard surfacing.

Thank you for your comments, it is along the lines of our thinking. Fence to the right is a boundary fence, with our neighbours 2 meters away. We will get someone in to look at the space, but wanting to get ideas and our heads in the right space so we can be clear about the challenges.... What you have both said is great Thank you.