Neville's Cross combines hillside gardens, older houses and a conservation area on the city side, so the slope, the planning position and access all need checking before a deck is designed. Here's what we look at.
The homes
The Census area (LSOA) around the centre of Neville's Cross is mainly semi-detached. The 2021 Census counted 48% of homes as semi-detached, 24% terraced, 18% detached and 9% flats. 73% of households own their home and 24% rent privately; the university and Durham School are both close by.
Around Darlington Road and Neville's Cross Bank are Cross View Terrace, Geoffrey Avenue, George Street, Neville's Cross Villas, St John's Road, Percy Terrace, Ellam Avenue, The Avenue, Farnley Mount and Farnley Ridge, Archery Rise, Kirkwood Drive and Dalton Crescent. Newer developments include Duresme Court, Sheraton Park and The Downs.
Because Neville's Cross sits on a hillside, many gardens slope, either rising behind the house or falling away from it. Villas and semis on the older roads often have long gardens; newer closes have smaller, more regular plots.
In the 2021 Census, 37% of households in this LSOA had two or more cars or vans and 19% had none. Darlington Road is a busy main road, so we unload on side streets or drives, never on the bank itself. On a steep plot, materials may need carrying up or down steps, which we plan at the visit.
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. Till is firm once you're below the topsoil, which suits concrete post footings. It drains slowly, though, and on a slope water runs downhill under the deck, so we keep the frame clear of the ground and add gravel to carry water away.
The Coal Measures mean old mine workings are possible across much of County Durham. The Coal Authority's interactive map shows whether a property is in a development high risk area. For a domestic deck on shallow footings, this rarely changes the design, but we check it for larger raised decks.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows one Flood Zone 3 area and one Flood Zone 2 area within 300 metres of the centre, along the River Browney valley about 400 metres away. Houses on the hillside are well above it.
Planning
The Durham City Conservation Area, designated on 9 August 1968, comes within about a kilometre of the centre of Neville's Cross, mainly on the city side. planning.data.gov.uk lists 44 listed buildings in that area, including 58 to 61 Hawthorn Terrace, houses on Crossgate and Allergate, Relley Mill House and The Grove at Durham School.
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. In a conservation area, side decks need permission, and listed buildings have no permitted development allowance for decking.
On a hillside, a deck that's level with the back door may be well over 30cm above the ground at its far edge. That's the most common reason a Neville's Cross deck needs an application. We take levels at the visit and tell you straight away. Our steep garden guide explains the options.
Layouts that work
Where the garden falls away, a raised deck at door height with a glass or timber balustrade, and steps down to the lawn, creates level space with views over the valley. If the drop is large, two lower decks linked by steps usually work better than one tall platform and may avoid the need for full planning drawings.
Where the garden rises behind the house, a deck at the top, reached by steps, catches more sun and keeps the area by the house clear. See raised and terraced decks, composite decking, timber decking and balustrades and steps.
Costs
We price after a visit. Size, height, the number of levels, board choice, balustrades, steps, lighting and access all matter. Steep slopes add frame work and sometimes planning drawings, and carrying materials up steps takes time. Our decking costs guide explains each part.
Close by
- Framwellgate Moor: about 2.5km north.
- Gilesgate: about 3km east, across the city.
- Shincliffe: about 3km south-east.
Crossgate Moor and Merryoaks are covered too. See the areas page.
FAQ about decking in Nevilles Cross
My garden slopes steeply. Can you build a deck?
Yes. Raised and terraced decks are designed for sloping gardens. We take levels and design around them.
Do I need planning permission?
If any part of the deck is more than 30cm above the ground, yes. Low rear decks within the coverage limit usually don't.
Is Neville's Cross in a conservation area?
Parts nearer the city are in the Durham City Conservation Area. We'll check your address.
Do old mine workings affect decking?
Rarely for a domestic deck, but we check the Coal Authority map for larger raised designs.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, LSOA County Durham 033D (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Durham City Conservation Area and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Coal Authority interactive map; Planning Portal: decking.