Scruton is a green village with a conservation area, older houses with long gardens and newer closes around the edges. A deck needs to suit the setting and the planning rules. Here's what we check.
Houses in the village
The Census area (LSOA) that covers Scruton is mostly detached and semi-detached. The 2021 Census counted 58% of homes as detached, 32% semi-detached, 7% terraced and 4% flats. 72% of households own their home and 17% rent privately. 59% of households have two or more cars or vans.
Station Road runs through the village, with Meadow Drive, Meadow Court, Beech Close, Wainscoat Place, Pittfields Corner, Alban Coore Place, The Parklands, East Grange Close and Peacock's Close nearby, and Common Lane, Hamhall Lane and Fleetham Lane leading out into the countryside. Scruton Stell, a small stream, runs close to the centre. The village hall on Station Road is the centre of village life, and the green itself is open grass edged by houses on both sides.
Older houses around the green often have long gardens, some running back to fields, with mature trees and hedges. The newer closes have regular plots with fences, drives and side access.
Most homes have drives. We agree a spot for the van and materials before delivery and keep the green and verges clear. On a long plot, we plan the route to the back of the garden at the visit.
Ground and drainage
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows gravelly sandy clay of the Vale of York Formation over sandstone of the Sherwood Sandstone Group. This ground gives posts a firm base below the topsoil, but the clay part drains slowly. We set posts in concrete, keep the frame clear of the soil and put a membrane and gravel underneath so water doesn't sit under the deck.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Scruton. Gardens near Scruton Stell should still be checked for surface water after heavy rain.
Planning rules
The Scruton Conservation Area was designated on 8 December 1994 and covers the historic village. planning.data.gov.uk lists eight listed buildings within about a kilometre, including the Church of St Radegund (Grade II*), Scruton House with its stables and cottage, Scruton Grange, The Old Rectory, The Hollies and Beech Cottage (all Grade II).
Under the Planning Portal's national rules, a deck is normally permitted development if it's no more than 30cm above the ground, covers no more than half the garden together with other extensions and outbuildings, and isn't in front of the house. Raised decks above 30cm need planning permission. In a conservation area, decks at the side of the house need permission, and listed buildings have no permitted development allowance for decking.
Mature trees are part of what the conservation area protects, so felling or pruning most of them needs six weeks' notice to the council first. That matters if a deck would sit under a big tree, where we'd also keep footings clear of main roots and leave the boards an inch or two clear of the trunk. Our guide to rural and village gardens covers long plots.
Deck ideas
Behind an older house by the green, keep the deck modest: a low platform in balau or another dense hardwood, just big enough for a table, set against the house wall where it gets the afternoon light. Edging it with a low box hedge or lavender softens the line between deck and lawn, and keeps it in character with the village.
On the newer closes around Meadow Drive and The Parklands, gardens are tidier rectangles. A composite deck across the back of the house, with a single broad step and storage built in under a bench, keeps toys and cushions out of the rain. Where a garden faces south, a simple sail or pergola over part of the deck gives shade on hot afternoons. See timber decking, composite decking and railings and lighting.
Pricing
We price after a visit. Size, height, board choice, steps, railings, lighting and access all matter. A long carry, planning drawings or listed building consent add cost where needed. Our decking costs guide explains each part.
Villages nearby
- Morton-on-Swale: about 2.5km east.
- Romanby: about 6km east.
- Brompton: about 8.5km north-east.
Leeming Bar, Kirkby Fleetham and Ainderby Steeple are covered too. See the villages page.
Questions people ask about decking in Scruton
Is Scruton in a conservation area?
The historic village is. We'll check your address and whether your house is listed.
Do you cover Leeming Bar and Kirkby Fleetham?
Yes. Both are close to Scruton and well within our area.
Can you build on clay?
Yes. Posts go into firm ground in concrete, with gravel underneath.
Which decking suits an older house?
Hardwood often looks most at home, but some composite tones work well. We bring samples.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, LSOA Hambleton 005A (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Scruton Conservation Area and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; GOV.UK: trees in conservation areas; Planning Portal: decking.