Decking in South Bank

South Bank is about making a small space work: long rows of terraces, compact yards, and access that's often through the house or down a back lane. Here's what goes into a deck here.

Homes and plots

South Bank is part of Micklegate ward, where terraces dominate. The 2021 Census counted 48.9% of homes as terraced and 26.1% as purpose-built flats, plus 8.1% in converted or shared houses. Only 12.3% were semi-detached and 2.9% detached. 53.2% of households own their home and 33.4% rent privately, and 34.1% have no car or van.

The grid of streets includes Southlands Road, Millfield Road, Nunthorpe Avenue, Nunthorpe Grove and Nunthorpe Crescent, Philadelphia Terrace, Adelaide Street, Ovington Terrace, Telford Terrace, Argyle Street, Albemarle Road and South Bank Avenue. Millthorpe School, Scarcroft and Knavesmire primary schools, Southlands Church, St Clement's and St Chad's are close, and Scarcroft Green, Rowntree Park and the Knavesmire give the area its green edges.

A typical back garden here is a narrow strip or a walled yard behind the kitchen, sometimes with a step down from the back door and a gate onto a back lane. A low deck can level that out, cover tired paving, and turn a yard into somewhere to eat outside.

Access is the first thing to sort on a South Bank terrace. In the 2021 Census, 34.1% of households in Micklegate ward had no car or van, and City of York Council's ResPark zone R58C covers streets such as Bishopthorpe Road, Rectory Gardens and Balmoral Terrace, so a van can't simply sit outside all day. We check the zone rules before delivery and, where there's a back lane, bring materials through the rear gate. With no lane, boards come through the house, so we measure the hallway and stair turns at the visit and cut lengths to fit.

Soil and water

The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows sand of the York Moraine Member over Triassic Sherwood Sandstone. The moraine is a ridge of material left at the front of the ice sheet, and the sand here drains well. It's loose, so we take post holes deeper and set them in concrete. In concreted yards, a frame on adjustable pedestals can sometimes go straight onto the slab if it's sound and falls away from the house.

The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows a small area of Flood Zone 2 within 300 metres. The River Ouse is around 750 metres away and Clementhorpe Beck a little closer. Check your postcode on the map if in doubt.

Planning and conservation

York has 34 conservation areas on planning.data.gov.uk, and several of them sit close to South Bank, including The Racecourse and Terry's Factory, Tadcaster Road, New Walk/Terry Avenue and the Central Historic Core. Many listed buildings stand within walking distance, towards The Mount and the city walls. York also has Article 4 directions, including one for houses in multiple occupation and one at East Mount Road.

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 permission. Flats and maisonettes, including converted houses, need planning permission for any deck, and listed buildings have no permitted development allowance for decking.

In a small yard, the half-garden rule is worth checking: it counts sheds and extensions too. Our conservation areas guide explains the checks we make.

Deck designs

For a narrow terrace garden, a low deck by the house with boards running lengthways makes the space feel longer. A built-in bench with storage under it saves floor space, and a removable hatch keeps drains accessible. Composite in a warm grey or brown tone suits brick terraces and stays splinter-free.

If there's a step down from the back door, setting the deck at the threshold removes the trip. See composite decking, hardwood decking and balustrades and lighting.

Price

We price after a visit. Size, height, board, any concrete or paving removal, and access all matter. With most terraces having no side access, materials come through the house or the back lane, and we protect floors as we go. Our decking prices guide explains each part.

Neighbouring areas

• Fulford: about 1.5km south-east, across the river.
• Dringhouses: about 2km south-west.
• Clifton: about 2.5km north, beyond the city centre.

See everywhere we cover on the areas page.

Common questions about decking in South Bank

Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Micklegate ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: York conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.