Decking in Fulford

Fulford has more heritage protection than most York suburbs, but its sandy ground is about as good for decking as it gets. This page covers the homes, the soil, planning and conservation, design and price.

Homes and plots

Fulford falls in Fishergate ward, which stretches towards the city. The 2021 Census counted 37.4% of homes there as terraced, 23.8% purpose-built flats, 23.0% semi-detached and 6.9% detached, with another 7.5% in converted or shared houses. 48.2% of households own their home and 39.8% rent privately.

The old village lines Main Street, with St Oswalds Road, School Lane and Heslington Lane nearby and Fulford Road leading north. St Oswald's Church and its primary school, Fulford School, York Steiner School, Fulford Library, the Saddle Inn and the Plough Inn are all within a few minutes' walk. Fulford Cross Nature Reserve, Walmgate Stray and Rowntree Park are close, and the Kohima Museum is nearby.

Behind the older houses on Main Street and York Road, gardens can be long and walled, with mature trees. Terraces nearer the city usually have a yard or a short garden with a back lane. A deck can make either more usable, as long as it respects the setting.

Getting materials in varies a lot in Fulford. In the 2021 Census, 34.9% of households in Fishergate ward had no car or van, and some streets nearer the city fall in the council's ResPark zones, while the larger houses along Main Street and Heslington Lane usually have drives. At the visit, we note which applies, check any parking permit rules and measure side or rear access. On a terrace with no lane, materials come through the house in lengths that fit the hallway, and we cover the floors before anything is carried in.

Soil and water

The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows sand and gravel of the Crockey Hill Esker Member over Triassic Sherwood Sandstone here. An esker is a ridge of sand and gravel left by meltwater under the ice. It drains quickly, which keeps the ground under a deck dry, but loose sand needs deeper post holes and concrete for a firm hold.

The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Fulford. The River Ouse is under 600 metres away, though, and Germany Beck a little further, so homes nearest the river and the beck should check their postcode on the map.

Planning and conservation

planning.data.gov.uk records the Fulford Village Conservation Area as designated on 12 November 1998, and lists the Fulford Road, The Retreat, Middlethorpe and New Walk/Terry Avenue conservation areas nearby; York has 34 conservation areas in all. Listed buildings close to the village include Holly House (the Old Manor House), Delwood Croft, 6 and 8, 17 and 19 York Road, The White House, Ousefield, Danesmead, Holly Lodge, 180 and 200 to 202 Fulford Road, and Fulford Cross (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. In a conservation area, side decks need planning permission. At a listed building, there's no permitted development allowance for decking, and listed building consent may be needed. York also has an Article 4 direction on houses in multiple occupation, which affects use rather than decking, but landlords should know about it.

Our conservation areas guide explains these checks in more detail.

Deck designs

Behind a period house, a low hardwood deck near the back door, kept clear of old walls and trees, gives a dining spot without changing the garden's character. Boards in a warm, natural tone suit brick and stone, and painted timber balustrades look at home where a guard is needed.

On a terrace, a low deck across the yard with a hatch over the drain and a bench along one wall makes the most of a small space. See hardwood decking, composite decking and balustrades and lighting.

Price

We price after a visit. Size, height, board, balustrades, lighting, access and any consent drawings all matter. For a terrace with no side access, materials come through the house. Our decking prices guide explains each part.

Neighbouring areas

• Heslington: about 2km east.
• South Bank: about 1.5km north-west, across the river.
• Bishopthorpe: about 2km south-west.

The areas page lists everywhere we cover.

Common questions about decking in Fulford

Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044 and TS054, Fishergate ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: York conservation areas and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.