Decking in Bowburn

Bowburn is mostly semi-detached family homes with regular gardens, which makes decking fairly simple. The checks are the ground, the conservation area for a few streets, and whether you own or rent. Here's the detail.

The homes

The Census area (LSOA) around the centre of Bowburn is overwhelmingly semi-detached. The 2021 Census counted 82% of homes as semi-detached, 11% detached, 6% terraced and 1% flats. 49% of households own their home, 39% rent from a social landlord and 12% rent privately.

Around the centre are Prince Charles Avenue, Edward Avenue, Tunstall Avenue, Margaret Court, William Street, Kirby's Drive, Griffiths Court, Lawson Road, Albert Court, Philip Avenue, Mary Terrace, Bede Terrace, Robson Crescent and David Terrace, with Surtees Avenue, Horton Crescent, Monteigne Drive and Castle Street a little further out. Newer housing includes The Willows and Melrose.

Semis here usually have a front garden or drive and a rear lawn with side access. Gardens are mostly regular rectangles, and many are fairly level, though some fall away from the house.

In the 2021 Census, 30% of households in this LSOA had no car or van and 25% had two or more. We agree where the van will park before delivery day so neighbours aren't blocked in. Materials go through the side gate, which we measure at the visit. If the gate is narrow or there's a step or a bin store in the way, we order shorter board lengths or plan the frame so it can be built from pieces that fit through. Off-cuts and waste leave in bulk bags at the end, so no skip is needed on the street.

Slope and soil

The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows Devensian till, a mix of clay, sand and stones, over mudstone, siltstone and sandstone of the Pennine Middle Coal Measures. Below the topsoil, till gives posts a firm base. Because it drains slowly, lawns can stay wet after rain, so we set posts in concrete, keep the frame off the soil and put gravel and a membrane underneath.

The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Bowburn. Bowburn Beck runs about half a kilometre away.

Bowburn grew around its colliery, and old mine workings are possible below. The Coal Authority's interactive map shows whether a property is in a development high risk area. A low domestic deck rarely needs special measures, but we check it for larger raised decks.

Planning

planning.data.gov.uk lists the Bowburn Conservation Area within about a kilometre of the centre, and no listed buildings in that area. If your house is inside the conservation area, side decks need permission.

Under the Planning Portal's national rules, a deck is normally permitted development if it's no more than 30cm above the ground and, with other extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than half the garden. Raised decks above 30cm need planning permission.

With 39% of homes in this LSOA rented from a social landlord, many households will need their landlord's permission before any work. If you own your home, check whether the estate had permitted development rights removed; Durham County Council's planning records will show this. Our steep garden guide covers sloping plots.

Layouts that work

For a semi, a composite deck the width of the house, level with the back door, with a wide step down to the lawn, is simple and needs little care. A built-in bench or storage box along one side keeps the garden tidy.

If children use the lawn, a deck by the house for seating and a second, smaller deck at the far end for evening sun works well. Where the garden slopes away, a slightly raised deck with a balustrade and steps keeps the door level. See composite decking, timber decking and balustrades and steps.

Costs

We price after a visit. Size, height, board choice, steps, balustrades, lighting, removing old slabs and access all matter. Side access keeps delivery simple for most Bowburn homes. Our decking costs guide explains each part.

Close by

• Shincliffe: about 3km north-west.
• Sherburn: about 4km north.
• Gilesgate: about 5km north.

Coxhoe, Cassop and Quarrington Hill are covered too. See the areas page.

FAQ about decking in Bowburn

Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, LSOA County Durham 041A (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Bowburn Conservation Area; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Coal Authority interactive map; Planning Portal: decking.