With so many detached homes, West Park gardens are often large enough for more ambitious decks. Here's what to think about: the houses, the clay and the beck, the planning rules and the cost.
Houses and gardens
West Park sits in Rural West ward, where 77.6% of homes were detached in the 2021 Census, 15.4% semi-detached, 3.5% terraced and 2.4% flats. 89.1% of households own their home, almost half (49.7%) outright, and 58.6% have two or more cars or vans.
Valley Drive, Carisbrooke Road, Egerton Road, Meadow Drive, Coniscliffe Road, Parklands Way, Park Drive and The Vale make up much of the area, with Elwick Road on its edge. West Park Primary School and High Tunstall College of Science are close by, and Ward Jackson Park and Summerhill Country Park are both within walking distance.
With mostly detached houses, gardens here are often wide, and some have mature trees, hedges and borders. That suits larger designs: a dining deck off bi-fold doors, a step down to a lounge area, or a separate deck further down the garden. Some plots slope, which makes multi-level decks a natural fit.
Larger gardens also bring choices about where the deck goes. The spot by the back door is handy for meals, but it may be in the house's shadow by evening. A second deck, or a single deck set further down the lawn, can follow the sun. We look at orientation, trees and any views towards the parks at the visit, and suggest a layout that works at the times of day you'll actually use it.
What's underfoot
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows till over Permian dolostone of the Roker Formation. Till is a stony glacial clay: firm enough for footings once you're through the topsoil, but slow-draining. We set posts in concrete well below the soft layer and leave a gravel base under the deck so rainwater soaks away.
Tunstall Beck runs within 100 metres of the centre of West Park, and the Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows small areas of Flood Zone 2 and 3 nearby. If your garden backs onto the beck, check the map for your postcode before planning. An open, raised frame on deep footings copes best with occasional wet ground.
Where there are mature trees, we site footings clear of major roots and choose boards with a grippy finish for shaded areas, where algae can build up.
Permission
The Park Conservation Area, around Ward Jackson Park, is one of eight conservation areas in Hartlepool listed on planning.data.gov.uk. Listed buildings in and around it include the lodge, clock tower, fountain, bandstand and South African War Memorial in Ward Jackson Park, a group of houses (Beechwood, Highnam, Jesmond, Pangbourne, Parkfield, Parkside and Wrenwood), Meadowcroft and Meadowside, and Tunstall Hall Farmhouse (all Grade II).
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. Raised decks above 30cm need planning permission anywhere. In a conservation area, side decks need permission, and listed buildings have no permitted development allowance for decking.
For a big multi-level deck on a sloping plot, it's sensible to assume planning permission will be needed. We can provide drawings to support an application.
Designs that work here
A two-level deck is often the best use of a wide garden: an upper dining area outside the doors, with glass balustrade panels, and steps with lights down to a lower lounging deck by the lawn. Hardwood suits mature gardens and weathers to silver; composite needs less upkeep under trees.
For a garden with a view to the park or the fields, a raised corner deck with a pergola frames it nicely. See multi-level decks, timber decking and balustrades and screens.
Cost
We quote after seeing the garden. Size, the number of levels, height, boards, balustrades, lighting, tree roots and any planning drawings all affect the figure. Side access is usually good on detached houses. The pricing guide explains each part.
Nearby
The areas page lists everywhere we cover.
Questions answered about decking in West Park
Will I need planning permission for a two-level deck?
If any part is more than 30cm above the ground, yes. We'll measure at the visit and tell you.
Can a deck go near Tunstall Beck?
Usually, if you check the flood map first. We'd design an open frame with deep footings.
Is my house in the conservation area?
Only some streets near Ward Jackson Park are. We'll check your address.
What board is best under trees?
A capped composite or grooved hardwood with good grip, plus a yearly clean.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Rural West ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Park Conservation Area and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.