Rossmere is one of the simplest places in Hartlepool to plan a deck, but the gardens are smaller and many homes are rented. Here's what matters: the houses, the ground, permission and cost.
Houses and gardens
Rossmere ward is mostly terraces and semis. The 2021 Census counted 40.2% of homes as terraced, 36.7% semi-detached, 14.0% flats and 8.4% detached. 40.1% of households rent from a council or housing association, the highest share of any area on this site, while 44.9% own their home. 36.6% of households have no car or van.
The estate around Rossmere Park is laid out on Ardrossan Road, Aberdeen Road, Argyll Road, Balmoral Road, Braemar Road and Benmore Road, with groves such as Barra, Brechin, Buckie, Banff, Ballater and Blairgowrie off them. Stockton Road runs nearby. St James the Apostle Church, St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Rossmere Academy and Wynyard Road Library serve the area, along with pubs including the Rossmere, the Travellers Rest and the Owton Lodge.
Gardens here are generally modest: a lawn or a paved area behind a terrace or semi, fenced on both sides. A small deck can make that space far more usable, giving a dry, level place to sit or for children to play, without much upkeep.
With more than a third of households having no car, many homes don't have a driveway, and back gardens are reached through the house or a rear gate. We plan for that: boards and timber are cut to length where possible before carrying through, floors and doorways are protected, and the work is kept tidy at the end of each day. If there's a rear lane, we'll use it.
Ground and drainage
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows till over Triassic Sherwood Sandstone. Till is a stony glacial clay: firm enough for footings once you're through the topsoil, but slow to drain, so lawns can get muddy in winter. That's one of the best reasons for a deck here.
We set posts in concrete below the soft layer, lay a weed membrane and gravel underneath, and keep the frame lifted for airflow so the timber stays dry.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Rossmere, so river flooding isn't a factor for most homes.
Permission
planning.data.gov.uk shows no conservation area and no listed buildings near the centre of Rossmere. That makes the Planning Portal's national rules the main test.
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 need planning permission, as does any deck at a flat or maisonette.
With four in ten homes socially rented, landlord consent is often the real first step. A housing association or council may ask for a drawing and details of materials. We're happy to provide a drawing and a quote to support your request.
Designs that work here
For a small garden, a low deck that covers part of the lawn by the house, with a single step down and a planter or bench along the fence, gives the most use for the money. Pressure-treated softwood keeps the cost down and lasts well if oiled every year or two. A grooved anti-slip board helps on shaded north-facing plots.
If the garden is paved and the paving is cracked, a deck can go over it on adjustable supports, provided water drains away from the house. See timber decking, composite decking and decking replacement.
If the deck is mainly for children, we round off exposed corners, keep steps shallow and wide, and use hidden or flush fixings so there are no screw heads to catch bare feet. Leaving part of the lawn uncovered keeps space for a ball game, and a storage bench along the fence gives toys somewhere to live.
Cost
We price after a visit. Size, height, board choice, steps, lighting, removing old paving, and access through the house or side gate all affect the figure. Our pricing guide explains each part.
Nearby
- Seaton Carew: about 2km east, by the sea.
- Greatham: about 2km south.
- West Park: about 3km north-west.
All our areas are listed on the areas page.
Questions answered about decking in Rossmere
I rent from a housing association. Can I have a deck?
Only with their written permission. We'll provide a drawing and quote to send them.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not for a low rear deck within the coverage limit. Raised decks and decks at flats do need it.
What's the cheapest durable option?
Pressure-treated softwood on a well-built frame, oiled every year or two.
Can you build over old paving?
Often, on adjustable supports, if the slabs are sound and drain away from the house.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Rossmere ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: listed buildings and conservation areas; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.