Planning a deck in Hummersknott? This page covers the houses and gardens, the ground, planning and heritage, and what shapes the cost.
Who lives here and what the gardens are like
Hummersknott ward is mostly detached and semi-detached. The 2021 Census recorded 52.3% detached, 34.4% semi-detached, 9.7% flats and just 3.0% terraced. Ownership is high: 86.3% of households own their home and 57.0% own it outright. Almost half (47.3%) have two or more cars.
The street names give the area a theme or two. Holyrood Avenue, Leith Road, Granton Close, Cramond Close, Pentland Grove and Edinburgh Drive all take their names from Edinburgh and its surroundings, while Bede Road, Caedmon Crescent, St Hild Close and St Giles Close recall early northern saints. Carroll Road, Barrett Road, Hummersknott Avenue and The Headlands complete the picture.
Detached houses can have wider plots, which opens up more design options. A deck doesn't have to be a rectangle at the back door: it can wrap around a corner of the house, step down in levels to follow the garden, or sit as a separate seating area where the evening sun lands. For families, a deck can define a grown-up dining area close to the house while leaving the lawn free for games.
Soil and drainage in Hummersknott
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows hummocky glacial deposits (gravel, sand and silt) at the centre of Hummersknott, over calcareous mudstone of the Permian Edlington Formation. These deposits drain reasonably well, but they're variable: one end of a garden can be gravelly and the other softer and siltier.
Because of that, we dig test holes at the post positions, take footings down to firm ground and set them in concrete. On a sloping plot, deeper footings carry the taller posts at the low end. Under the deck, we lay a membrane and gravel and make sure the ground falls away from the house.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no land in Flood Zones 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Hummersknott. Baydale Beck isn't far away, so gardens nearer it may want to check.
Rules, permissions and heritage
The West End Conservation Area, designated in 1968, covers parts of this side of Darlington, according to planning.data.gov.uk. Listed buildings close to Hummersknott include Hillclose Farm House and St Clare's Abbey Chapel (both Grade II*), the lodge and walls of St Clare's Abbey, Carmel House Convent, Danesmoor, Tees Bank House and 478 and 480 Coniscliffe Road (all Grade II).
The Planning Portal's national rules say a deck is normally permitted development if it's no more than 30cm above the ground and covers no more than half the garden with other extensions and outbuildings. A multi-level deck on a sloping garden can easily go over 30cm at its high edge, which means planning permission is needed. In a conservation area, side decks aren't permitted development; at a listed building, the decking allowance doesn't apply.
We'll check your address against the conservation area boundary at the visit and talk through which parts of a design might need an application.
Ideas for a Hummersknott deck
For a detached house with a wide plot, a two-level deck works well: an upper level outside bi-fold or French doors for dining, and a lower level for lounging, linked by wide steps. Glass or slim metal balustrades keep the view open where guarding is needed, and lights in the steps make the deck usable after dark. A built-in bench or planter can mark the edge of the play area.
Hardwood suits a garden with mature planting, and composite is the low-maintenance choice for a busy household. See raised decking, balustrades, steps and lighting and composite decking.
What affects the cost
Larger, multi-level decks naturally cost more than a simple single level, because they need more frame, more footings and more steps and guarding. Board choice, lighting, and the slope of the garden also play a part. We price after a visit; our decking costs guide explains the factors.
Close by
- Mowden: to the north, owner-occupied semis around Bushell Hill Park.
- Cockerton: to the north, around the old village green.
- Hurworth: to the south-east beside the Tees, a village with its own conservation area.
See all the places we cover on the areas page.
Good to know in Hummersknott
Will a multi-level deck need planning permission?
If any part of it is more than 30cm above the ground, yes. We'll design it so you know which parts need an application and prepare drawings if needed.
Can a deck wrap around the corner of the house?
Yes, as long as it stays at the rear. In a conservation area, the part at the side of the house would need permission.
What's the best board for a garden with big trees?
A grooved or textured board for grip, and gaps wide enough for leaves and water to clear. Composite won't rot; hardwood lasts well and can be left to silver.
Can you add lighting to the deck?
Yes. Low-voltage lights in steps, posts or fascia boards make the deck safe and usable in the evening.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Hummersknott ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: West End Conservation Area and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.