Nick Maclaren wrote:
Like most urban myths, there is a modicum of truth behind this one,
but only enough to say that it is not wholly a fantasy.

London had planning laws for a good many centuries before they
existed in the rest of the country, and there were references in
them to permanent constructions of over 6' high. Certainly walls,
but perhaps sheds as well.

It is therefore POSSIBLE that was the case in London before about
1955 - but it certainly wasn't anywhere else ....

On top of all this there are covenants. The estate upon which I live has
covenants on the deeds preventing enclosure of the front garden; the
building of any form of structure whatsoever, including sheds, in the back
garden; and the keeping of animals on the land.

The original purpose of these covenants was to help the builder sell the
last plots, and all 3 covenants are now largely ignored. Since the original
covenant was with a firm that has gone bankrupt/been wound up 25 years ago
for tax purposes, I imagine the remaining beneficiaries round here are the
neighbours - most of whom have already broken the terms.

But you never know. It's worth talking to your solicitor