The Perimeter Decision
Every construction and demolition site requires a secure perimeter — to protect the public from site hazards, to protect the site from unauthorised access, and to comply with planning conditions and insurance requirements. The choice between temporary fencing, permanent hoarding, or a hybrid approach affects project cost, programme, logistics, and ongoing site management for the duration of the build.
Getting the perimeter specification wrong — over-investing in permanent hoarding where temporary fencing would suffice, or under-specifying in a high-security context — has direct cost consequences and can create programme problems that compound throughout the project.
Temporary Heras Security Fencing
UK-standard Heras fencing (galvanised steel mesh panels, typically 3.5m × 2m, on weighted feet with clip connectors) is the most widely used temporary site security solution. Its advantages:
- Speed — can be installed and removed quickly, adapting to changing site needs
- Flexibility — perimeter can be reconfigured as the build progresses without cost penalty
- Hire availability — can be hired rather than purchased, avoiding capital outlay
- No planning permission required — unlike permanent structures, temporary Heras fencing is typically Permitted Development
Its limitations: lower security than permanent hoarding (can be lifted over or pushed aside); less suitable for long-term city centre sites where public interface is intensive; no acoustic benefit for noise-sensitive neighbouring uses.
Permanent Hoarding
Plywood or metal sheet hoarding on a timber or steel frame provides a higher-security, more robust perimeter for high-profile or long-duration sites. Preferred for city centre demolition and construction projects where the interface with pedestrians and the public is intensive. Disadvantages:
- Significant material and labour cost to install and remove
- Cannot easily be reconfigured as the site footprint changes
- May require planning permission for certain heights or locations
- Disposal cost at project end
Hybrid Approaches
Most sites use a hybrid: permanent hoarding or close-boarded fencing at the street interface (where public safety and aesthetics matter most) with Heras fencing for internal site divisions, temporary exclusion zones, and areas where the perimeter needs to move regularly. This combination optimises cost against security and adaptability requirements.
The Labour Cost of Heras: The Hidden Variable
Where the analysis of temporary vs permanent fencing often fails is in properly accounting for the labour cost of Heras fencing across a project lifetime. Heras panels must be installed, regularly inspected, secured after storm damage, and relocated whenever the site footprint changes — which on a major development is constantly.
For a 200-panel perimeter installed, relocated twice and struck at project end, traditional manual handling involves approximately 300 man-hours of fencing labour over the project. At £24/hour, that's £7,200 in labour for a product often regarded as a "free" part of the site setup.
The MW Equipment FenceBag reduces Heras installation to 4–6 hours for 200 panels. Relocation takes 15 minutes for a full load of 54 panels. Over a full project lifecycle, the labour saving is typically £2,000–£4,000 per mobilisation. View the FenceBag →
Security Enhancement Options for Temporary Fencing
Where Heras fencing is chosen but higher security is required, standard enhancement options include: Heras fencing clamps (preventing panels being lifted off feet); anti-climb mesh (finer aperture panels); top spikes or barbed wire (subject to local authority requirements); CCTV cameras mounted on fencing frames; and perimeter alarms. These additions significantly improve the security performance of a Heras perimeter without the full cost of permanent hoarding.