This page covers decking in Coatham: the houses and yards, the sandy ground and salt air, the conservation area and the costs.
The homes
Coatham ward is mostly terraces and flats. In the 2021 Census, 39.7% of homes were terraced and 21.9% semi-detached, with 18.3% in purpose-built flats and another 11.3% in converted or shared houses. Only 3.9% were detached. It's a renting area too: 40.6% of households rent privately, against 49.5% who own their home.
Coatham Road, Church Street, Kirkleatham Street, Majuba Road and Lobster Road run between terraces, and a group of streets carry naval names: Blenheim Terrace, Victory Terrace, Trafalgar Terrace and Nelson Terrace. Christ Church stands at the centre, with Coatham Church of England Primary School and Locke Park close by, and Cleveland Golf Club is a few streets away.
Behind a terrace, the garden is usually a yard: walled, often paved or concreted, sometimes with a step up or down to the back door. A deck can cover a cracked or uneven surface, bring the floor level with the door and make a small space feel like an outdoor room. In converted flats, any deck needs planning permission, so we'll check how the building is split before designing.
Salt, sand and ground
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows blown sand over the Jurassic Redcar Mudstone Formation under Coatham. Windblown sand drains very freely, which helps keep the ground under a deck dry, but it's loose, so posts need deep holes and concrete to hold firm. Where a yard is already concreted, we can sometimes fix a frame to the slab on adjustable supports instead, after checking that it falls away from the house.
Salt air is the bigger issue this close to the sea. Ordinary zinc-plated screws and brackets corrode quickly, staining boards and weakening the frame. We use stainless steel fixings and fittings throughout, choose boards that cope with salt and sun, and leave airflow under the deck so moisture doesn't sit in the frame.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows small areas of Flood Zone 2 and 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Coatham. It's worth checking your postcode on the map before you plan, especially if your garden is low-lying.
Planning in Coatham
The Coatham Conservation Area was designated on 13 October 1988, according to planning.data.gov.uk; it is one of 16 conservation areas in Redcar and Cleveland. Listed buildings close by include Red Barns House and Red Barns Hotel (Grade II*), Christ Church and its lychgate, the Town Clock, Redcar Central station, Gladwings' warehouse beside the station, and 44 to 50 High Street West (all Grade II).
The Planning Portal's national rules say a deck is normally permitted development if it is no more than 30cm above the ground and, together with other extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than half the garden. In a conservation area, decking at the side of the house isn't permitted development. Listed buildings have no permitted development allowance for decking, and flats and maisonettes need planning permission for any deck.
If you rent, which many people in Coatham do, you'll need your landlord's written agreement before work starts.
Deck ideas for Coatham
For a terrace yard, a low deck that runs from wall to wall, with a gap at the edges for drainage and a hatch over any drain, turns concrete into a warm, even floor. Boards running away from the house make a short yard look longer. Built-in planters or a bench along one wall add greenery and seating without using floor space.
Capped composite is a good fit by the sea, because it resists salt, doesn't need oiling and won't splinter. Hardwood is the natural option, and weathers to silver if left. Glass screens can give shelter from the wind on a raised section. See composite decking and balustrades, steps and lighting.
Budget
Every deck is priced after a visit. In Coatham the main factors are size, height, the board, stainless fixings, whether there's concrete to build over or remove, and access, as materials often come through the house or a back lane. Our decking costs guide explains each factor.
Around Coatham
- Dormanstown: to the south-west, a planned estate of semis with its own listed crescent.
- Marske-by-the-Sea: along the coast to the east, with an old High Street and a cliff-top.
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea: further east, a seaside town with a listed cliff tramway.
Everywhere we cover is listed on the areas page.
FAQs about decking in Coatham
Can you build a deck over a concrete yard?
Often, yes. If the slab is sound and falls away from the house, we can build a low frame on adjustable supports. If it's cracked or holds water, we may need to break part of it out first.
Will salt air damage the deck?
Not if it's built for it. We use stainless steel fixings, boards that resist salt and UV, and leave airflow under the frame.
My house is in the conservation area. Do I need permission?
For a rear deck under 30cm that meets the coverage rule, usually not. Side decks need permission, and listed buildings need extra checks. We'll confirm at the visit.
I live in a flat. Can I have a deck?
You'll need planning permission, and the freeholder's agreement. We can supply drawings for the application.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044 and TS054, Coatham ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Coatham Conservation Area and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.