Read on for Hemlington's homes and gardens, its clay, the planning and permission points, and what changes the cost.
Hemlington's terraces, semis and smaller gardens
Hemlington has a different profile from the more detached suburbs nearby. In the 2021 Census, 36.6% of homes in Hemlington ward were terraced, 33.0% semi-detached, 16.2% purpose-built flats and 12.9% detached. Nearly half of households (47.8%) rent from a council or housing association, and 37.6% have no car.
Most homes sit in closes off the main estate roads, such as Coatham Close, Crimdon Close and Cresswell Close near Dodford Road, many named after places in the North East. Rear gardens are usually modest and fenced, often with a path to a back gate. In a garden of that size, a deck doesn't need to be big to be useful: a small platform outside the kitchen door, big enough for a table and two chairs, with one step down to the lawn, can make the garden feel like part of the house.
Many people here want something low-maintenance that will last. Softwood timber is the lowest-cost option and looks warm when new, but it needs treating every year or two to stay safe and tidy. Capped composite costs more at the start but needs only an occasional wash. We'll talk through both honestly, along with simple extras such as a handrail on the step for anyone less steady on their feet.
At the newer Hemlington Grange development, houses are mostly modern detached and semi-detached homes with patio doors and fenced gardens.
Hemlington Lake and its surrounding park sit at the heart of the area, a reminder that plenty of homes here are close to open water and green space.
Clay ground and drainage
The BGS 1:50,000 map shows Hemlington on till (boulder clay) over Mercia Mudstone. The clay is stiff and slow to drain, and in newer gardens it's often covered by a thin layer of topsoil over compacted fill.
We take each footing down into firm natural clay and set it in concrete, so the frame stays level as the surface wets and dries through the year. A membrane and gravel bed under the deck keep weeds down and let water drain gradually. In small gardens we make sure the deck doesn't block a drain or rodding point, and fit a lift-out hatch if one sits underneath.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows a small area of Flood Zone 2 and 3 land within 300 metres of central Hemlington. If your garden is near a watercourse, check your postcode on the map; otherwise flood risk from rivers isn't a concern for most homes here.
Planning and permissions in Hemlington
Hemlington isn't in a conservation area, although the Stainton and Thornton Conservation Area lies close by. Hemlington Hall Farmhouse, with its farm cottage and garden wall, is listed Grade II, and Stainton Grange is Grade II*; neither affects an ordinary garden deck elsewhere in the area.
National permitted development rules let you build a deck without planning permission if it's no more than 30cm above the ground, covers no more than half the garden together with other outbuildings and extensions, and isn't in front of the principal elevation. Flats and maisonettes don't have these householder rights, so a deck for a ground-floor flat needs permission.
If you rent your home, you'll need written permission from your landlord, whether that's a housing association or a private landlord, before any building work starts. Most have a set process for tenant improvements.
What changes the cost of a Hemlington deck
We don't publish prices. Smaller decks naturally cost less, and the board choice is the next biggest factor: softwood is the cheapest up front, composite the most low-maintenance. After that come steps and handrails, any old paving to lift, and access, because terraces with only a rear footpath take longer to supply. Our decking costs guide explains each factor.
Nearby areas
- Coulby Newham: next door to the east, a planned suburb with more detached houses.
- Stainton and Thornton: the villages to the south-west, with a conservation area.
- Kader: to the north, an estate of semis on sandier ground.
Find all areas on the areas page, or read about timber and hardwood decks and composite decking.
Your questions about decking in Hemlington
I rent my home. Can I have a deck built?
Yes, with your landlord's written permission. Housing associations and private landlords usually have a process for tenant improvements. We can give you a quote and a short description of the deck to send with your request, and we won't start until permission is in place.
Is a small timber deck worth it?
It can be. A small softwood deck is the lowest-cost option and looks good when kept treated. Expect to clean and re-treat it every year or two. If you'd rather not, composite costs more at first but needs only washing, which can work out better over the life of the deck.
Can you add a handrail to the step?
Yes. A simple timber or aluminium handrail beside the steps makes getting down to the lawn safer, especially in wet weather. We fix it to the deck frame so it's solid, and set the step height low and even.
Does a ground-floor flat need planning permission for a deck?
Yes. Permitted development rights for decking apply to houses, not flats or maisonettes, so a deck for a flat needs planning permission and, if you rent or own a leasehold flat, the freeholder's or landlord's consent too.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Hemlington ward (Nomis); BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; Historic England: the List; Planning Portal: decking; OpenStreetMap.