Decking in Heslington

Heslington has both a conservation area and an Article 4 direction. This page explains what that means for a deck, along with the homes, the ground, design and price.

Homes and plots

Heslington sits in Fulford & Heslington ward, which is mostly semis and detached houses. The 2021 Census counted 48.8% of homes as semi-detached, 23.3% detached, 13.8% terraced and 11.6% flats. 67.1% of households own their home and 23.1% rent privately.

Main Street is the historic core, with School Lane, Low Lane, Common Lane and Field Lane leading off, and newer closes including Holburns Croft, Turner's Croft, Walnut Close, Enclosure Gardens and Paddock Chase. Lord Deramore's Primary School, Heslington Church, the meeting room, the Charles XII and the Deramore Arms are all close, and the University of York's libraries are a few minutes' walk away. The village has its own parish council.

Older houses on Main Street can have long gardens behind them, some walled. Semis and detached houses on the newer roads have regular lawns and side access. A deck can create a level dining space near the house in either.

In the 2021 Census, 48.6% of households in Fulford & Heslington ward had one car or van and 25.3% had two, while 19.1% had none. Main Street is narrow in places, with the university close by, so we plan deliveries for quieter times and keep materials off the pavement. Many village houses have side access or a gate onto a back lane, which suits long boards. Where a property is listed or in the conservation area, we also take care with walls, gateposts and old paving on the way in. Spoil and off-cuts leave in bulk bags at the end of the job, so there's no skip standing on the street.

Soil and water

The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows sand and silt of the Naburn Sand Member over Triassic Sherwood Sandstone. Sand drains well, but silt makes it softer when wet, so we dig post holes through to firm ground and set each post in concrete, with a gravel base under the deck.

The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the village centre. Germany Beck is about 600 metres away.

Planning and conservation

planning.data.gov.uk records the Heslington Conservation Area as designated on 20 January 1969, and shows an Article 4 direction covering it, which removes some permitted development rights; York has 34 conservation areas. Listed buildings include Heslington Hall and The Little Hall (both Grade II*), with Grade II listings for the hall's orangery, railings and gates, The Manor House, the coach house to The Little Hall, Limetree Farm, Old School House, The Lodge, Village Farm, and 5, 15 and 16, and 23 and 24 Main Street.

The Planning Portal's national rules say 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 permission, and at a listed building there's no permitted development allowance for decking.

Because an Article 4 direction can remove rights that would otherwise apply, homeowners in the conservation area should check with City of York Council before building even a low deck. We can provide drawings for an application. Our conservation areas guide explains the process.

Deck designs

Behind a Main Street house, a low hardwood deck close to the house, set clear of walls and trees, with planting around its edge, sits quietly in a historic garden. Painted timber balustrades suit period brick where a guard is needed.

On a newer close, a composite deck the width of the house with a step to the lawn, built-in seating and soft lighting makes an easy family space. See hardwood decking, composite decking and balustrades and lighting.

Price

We price after a visit. Size, height, board choice, steps, lighting, access and any planning drawings all affect the figure. Our decking prices guide explains each part.

Neighbouring areas

• Fulford: about 2km west.
• South Bank: about 3km west, across the river.
• Bishopthorpe: about 4km south-west.

See the areas page for everywhere we cover.

Common questions about decking in Heslington

Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Fulford & Heslington ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Heslington Conservation Area, Article 4 direction and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.