Shincliffe is a conservation village close to the river, with stone houses, mature gardens and some flood risk at the lower end. A deck here needs to suit the setting and the planning rules. Here's what we check.
The homes
The Census area (LSOA) that includes Shincliffe is mostly detached. The 2021 Census counted 47% of homes as detached, 26% semi-detached, 25% terraced and just 2% flats. 83% of households own their home.
The High Street runs through the old village, with St Mary's Close, Hall Farm, Wood View, Low Road, Low Green, Willow Tree Avenue, Manor Close, The Mews and Mill Lane close by. Further from the centre are newer roads, including Hill Meadows, Heathways, Lindisfarne, Beal Walk and Foxton Way. Shincliffe Church of England Primary School is about 850 metres away.
Older houses on the High Street often have long, walled gardens behind them, some with mature trees. The newer estates have regular plots with fences and side access. Some gardens slope, while others are fairly flat.
This is a car-owning village: in the 2021 Census, 48% of households in this LSOA had two or more cars or vans and only 9% had none. The High Street is narrow in places, so we agree where the van and materials will go before delivery day, and we keep materials clear of old walls and verges on the way into the garden.
Slope and soil
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows river terrace deposits of gravel, sand and silt over sandstone of the Pennine Middle Coal Measures. Terrace gravels drain well, so the ground under a deck stays fairly dry, but they can be loose near the surface. We dig through to firm ground and set every post in concrete.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows one Flood Zone 3 area and two Flood Zone 2 areas within 300 metres of the centre, along the River Wear, which is about 500 metres away at its nearest. Most homes are outside these zones, but gardens nearer the river should be checked. In a flood zone, we use an open frame that lets water pass and fix it firmly so it can't lift.
Planning
Shincliffe has its own conservation area covering the historic village, and the Durham City Conservation Area also reaches within about a kilometre. planning.data.gov.uk lists 18 listed buildings in that area, all Grade II, including the Church of St Mary, The Manor House, The Old House, Old England, Corner House, Willow House, Laxey Cottage, Rectory Terrace, 7 and 9 High Street, Shincliffe Bridge and a K6 telephone kiosk on Prospect Terrace.
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.
Trees in a conservation area are protected too: you must give the council six weeks' notice before cutting down or pruning most trees. If a deck needs a tree trimmed, we plan that in. Our steep garden guide covers sloping plots.
Layouts that work
Behind a stone house on the High Street, a low timber deck close to the house, oiled or left to silver, sits well with old walls. A step down to the lawn and planters built from the same boards keep it simple.
On the newer estates, a composite deck level with the patio doors, with a wide step to the lawn, needs little upkeep. Where the garden slopes, a raised deck with a glass or timber balustrade keeps a level area by the house. See timber decking, composite decking, raised and terraced decks and balustrades and steps.
Costs
We price after a visit. Size, height, board choice, steps, balustrades, lighting and access all matter. Flood-zone designs, planning drawings or listed building consent add cost where needed. Our decking costs guide explains each part.
Close by
- Gilesgate: about 2km north.
- Bowburn: about 3km south-east.
- Nevilles Cross: about 3km north-west.
Houghall, Elvet and High Shincliffe are covered too. See the areas page.
FAQ about decking in Shincliffe
Is Shincliffe in a conservation area?
The old village is. We'll check your address and whether your house is listed.
Could my garden flood?
Gardens near the River Wear can be in flood zones. We'll check the Environment Agency map and design for it.
Do I need permission to prune a tree for a deck?
In a conservation area, you need to give the council six weeks' notice for most tree work.
Which decking suits an older stone house?
Timber usually looks most at home, but some composite tones work too. We bring samples.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, LSOA County Durham 041D (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Shincliffe and Durham City conservation areas, listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; GOV.UK: trees in conservation areas; Planning Portal: decking.