This page looks at decking in New Marske: the houses, the clay and slopes, the planning position and the cost.
The homes
New Marske falls in Longbeck ward, which has the highest share of detached homes of any place on this site. The 2021 Census counted 46.6% of homes as detached, 36.2% semi-detached, 15.0% terraced and just 1.5% flats. 82.8% of households own their home (51.7% outright), only 3.5% rent from a social landlord, and 42.2% have two or more cars or vans.
The estates are laid out along Birkdale Road, St Annes Road, Sandmoor Road, Moortown Road, Sunningdale Road and Wentworth Crescent, with closes such as Portrush, Hoylake and Ainsdale off them. New Marske Primary School sits among them, and St Thomas's Church, the Methodist church, the Yorkshire Lass pub and the sports club are within walking distance. Errington Wood is close by.
These are family houses with family gardens. A detached house might have a lawn wide enough for a large dining deck and a separate play area, and a garage or side drive for access. Where a garden steps up or down from the house, a deck earns its keep: it turns a slope into flat, usable space.
Clay and slopes
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows till over the Jurassic Redcar Mudstone Formation. Till is a dense, stony glacial clay. It's firm once you're through the topsoil, which makes a good base for post footings, but it drains slowly, so rain can sit on the surface.
On a slope, that matters twice over. Water runs downhill under the deck, so we leave a clear path for it and lay gravel over a membrane rather than trapping it. Posts at the low end are longer and need bracing, and on a steep garden we may set them on concrete pads cast deeper into the clay.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of New Marske, so river flooding isn't a factor.
Planning in New Marske
planning.data.gov.uk shows no conservation area covering New Marske, and only one listed building near the centre: Fell Briggs Farmhouse (Grade II). For almost every home here, the standard national rules apply.
The Planning Portal sets them out. A deck is normally permitted development if it's no more than 30cm above the ground and, with any other extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than half the garden. Anything higher needs planning permission. On a sloping plot, height is measured from the natural ground, so the low end of a deck can easily pass 30cm even when the house end is close to the ground.
Some modern estates had permitted development rights removed when they were built. Your title deeds or the council's planning records will show this; we can help you check.
Deck ideas for New Marske
For a garden that drops away, a raised deck off the back doors with glass or timber balustrades and wide steps down to the lawn makes a terrace with a view. Where the garden rises, a lower deck at the top of the slope, reached by steps, can catch the evening sun that the house shades out.
On a large, level lawn, try two areas: a dining deck by the kitchen and a smaller deck further down with a bench or a hot tub base. Composite boards in a grey or brown tone are low-maintenance, and stair lighting helps on steps. See raised decking, composite decking and balustrades, steps and lighting.
New Marske sits inland from Marske-by-the-Sea, so gardens get less salt spray than those on the seafront, but wind still crosses the open ground around the village. On a raised deck we use stainless steel fixings for balustrade posts and screens all the same, because they're the parts that take the strain and are hardest to replace later. Timber decks need an oil or stain every year or two; composite just needs a wash.
Budget
We price after seeing the garden. The main drivers are size, height (raised decks need more frame, bracing and guarding), boards, steps, balustrades, lighting and any planning drawings. Access is often straightforward down a side drive. The decking costs guide explains each part.
Around New Marske
- Marske-by-the-Sea: to the north-east, by the sea.
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea: to the east.
- Guisborough: to the south.
The full list is on the areas page.
FAQs about decking in New Marske
My garden slopes. Do I need planning permission?
If any part of the deck is more than 30cm above the natural ground, yes. We'll measure the slope and tell you at the visit.
Is New Marske in a conservation area?
No. Only Fell Briggs Farmhouse is listed nearby, so most homes follow the standard rules.
Is the clay here a problem?
It's firm underneath, which suits footings. We just make sure water can drain away under the deck.
Can a deck take a hot tub?
Yes, if it's designed for the load from the start, with extra joists and footings under the tub.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Longbeck 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.