Decking in Framwellgate Moor

Framwellgate Moor has easier ground than much of Durham and few planning constraints, which makes it a good place for a deck. The main things to think about are access from the older terraces and a layout that suits the garden.

The homes

The Census area (LSOA) around the centre of Framwellgate Moor is mostly semis and terraces. The 2021 Census counted 42% of homes as semi-detached, 22% terraced, 20% detached and 16% flats. 77% of households own their home and 20% rent privately.

Around Front Street are Tindale Avenue, St Aidan's Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Kirby Avenue, St Cuthbert's Avenue, Finchale Road, High Carr Road and High Carr Close, Newton Drive, Durham Terrace, Lund Avenue, Gray Avenue, Holmlands Crescent and Durham Moor Crescent. Newton Hall, a large housing estate, is just to the north-east.

The older terraces near Front Street usually have rear yards, often with a back lane. The numbered avenues and later semis have longer gardens with side access. Being on the northern edge of the city, many gardens here get open sky and wind from the west, so a slatted screen or a run of planters on the windward side can make a deck far more comfortable on a breezy evening. We fix screen posts into the deck frame so they stay solid. Framwellgate Moor is on fairly level ground compared with the city, though some gardens still slope.

In the 2021 Census, 34% of households in this LSOA had two or more cars or vans and 23% had none. Front Street and the A167 are busy, so we unload on side streets or drives. Where a back lane serves the terraces, we use it to bring materials straight into the yard.

Slope and soil

The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows Devensian glaciofluvial sand and gravel over mudstone, siltstone and sandstone of the Pennine Middle Coal Measures. Sand and gravel drain far better than the clay till found across much of Durham, so lawns dry quickly and the ground under a deck stays dry. The trade-off is that loose gravel gives posts less grip, so we dig deeper and set every post in concrete.

The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Framwellgate Moor.

As a former colliery village, the area has old mine workings 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 designs.

Planning

planning.data.gov.uk shows no conservation area within about a kilometre of the centre of Framwellgate Moor. It lists seven listed buildings in that area, including Aykley Heads house (Grade II*), Dryburn House, the Marquis of Granby pub, Western Lodge and Grey Lodge, and the County Police Communication Tower (all Grade II).

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.

For most homes here, a low rear deck needs no application. On newer developments, check whether permitted development rights were removed; Durham County Council's planning records will show it. Our steep garden guide covers sloping plots.

Layouts that work

For a terrace with a rear yard, a low deck across the yard, with storage and planters, makes a tidy outdoor space. Composite suits a shady yard because it doesn't need oiling.

For a semi with a lawn, a deck the width of the house, level with the back door, with a wide step down, is simple and practical. A pergola or a corner deck at the end of the garden can add a second seating area. See composite decking, timber decking and balustrades and steps.

Costs

We price after a visit. Size, height, board choice, steps, balustrades, lighting and access all matter. A back lane or side gate keeps delivery simple; carrying through a house takes longer. Our decking costs guide explains each part.

Close by

• Nevilles Cross: about 2.5km south.
• Gilesgate: about 3km south-east.
• Belmont: about 4km east.

Newton Hall, Pity Me and Witton Gilbert are covered too. See the areas page.

FAQ about decking in Framwellgate Moor

Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, LSOA County Durham 023A (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: listed buildings and conservation areas; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Coal Authority interactive map; Planning Portal: decking.