Harlow Hill sits high, drains reasonably well and has a mix of stone houses and newer homes, so the questions here are about levels, materials that suit stone, and the conservation area on the town side. Here's what we look at.
Houses and gardens
Harlow & St. Georges ward has a broad mix of homes. The 2021 Census counted 35.0% as detached, 32.0% semi-detached, 16.3% terraced and 6.6% purpose-built flats. Another 8.9% are flats in converted or shared houses, a sign of the large Victorian and Edwardian houses that have been split up over time. 75.7% of households own their home.
Around the centre of Harlow Hill are Plantation Road, Plantation Avenue, Plantation Terrace and Plantation Close, with Pinewood Drive, Pinewood Gate, Beech Close and Harlow Chase nearby. Otley Road runs along the ridge, with The Shepherds Dog, Harlow Hill Methodist Church and All Saints Church close by, and Harlow Hill Park right in the middle.
Gardens vary. Older stone semis tend to have long, narrow back gardens with walls or mature hedges, while the newer closes have neater, more regular plots. Because Harlow Hill is on a ridge, some gardens slope away from the house, which puts the back door well above the lawn.
Vehicle access is usually straightforward. In the 2021 Census, 34.0% of households in the ward had two cars or vans and 7.9% had three or more, so drives are often full during the day. Before delivery, we agree where boards and posts will be stacked and check the side gate width, so long lengths go straight through without blocking anyone's car. Waste leaves in bulk bags at the end of the job.
Ground conditions
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows Harrogate Till, a gravelly sandy clay, over the Harlow Hill Sandstone. Till like this is firm once you dig through the topsoil, which gives posts a good base, but the clay part holds water after heavy rain. We set posts in concrete below the soft top layer, lay a weed membrane with gravel under the deck and leave a gap at the edges so air can move and the frame stays dry.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Harlow Hill. Surface water can still collect at the bottom of a sloping garden, so we check where it runs before fixing levels.
Planning checks
The large Harrogate Conservation Area, designated in 1973, reaches within about a kilometre of the centre of Harlow Hill, mainly on the town side towards the Valley Gardens. Listed buildings in that area include Harlow Hill Water Tower and Harlow Hill Tower (the old observatory), both Grade II, the Church of St Mary (Grade II*), All Saints Church and the Magnesia Well building.
Under the Planning Portal's national rules, 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. In a conservation area, side decks need permission, and listed buildings have no permitted development allowance for decking.
For most houses on the newer closes, a low rear deck needs no application. On a sloping garden, though, the 30cm limit is measured from the ground, so a deck that's level with the back door can easily exceed it at the far end. We'll measure this at the visit and tell you if an application is likely. Our guide to hardwood vs composite covers how each looks next to stone.
Design ideas
On a sloping garden, a deck at door height with a short flight of wide steps to a lower terrace or lawn makes the most of the view west. Glass balustrades keep it open, while painted timber balusters suit an older stone house. Hardwood that's oiled or left to silver tends to sit well against honey-coloured stone.
On a flatter plot, a low composite deck the width of the house with a step down to the lawn is simple and needs little upkeep. See hardwood decking, composite decking, raised and multi-level decks and balustrades and lighting.
What affects the price
We price after a visit. The main factors are size, height above the ground, the board you choose, steps, balustrades, lighting, removing an old deck or slabs, and access. A steep slope adds frame work and sometimes planning drawings. Our decking cost guide explains each part.
Nearby areas
We also cover Beckwithshaw, Pannal Ash and the Duchy Estate. See the areas page.
Frequently asked questions about decking in Harlow Hill
Is the clay a problem for a deck?
No. The till is firm under the topsoil. We set posts in concrete and add gravel underneath so water drains away from the frame.
My garden slopes. Do I need planning permission?
Possibly. If any part of the deck is more than 30cm above the ground, it needs permission. We'll measure the drop at the visit.
Will composite look out of place next to stone?
Not if you choose the right tone. We bring samples so you can see them against your walls.
Is Harlow Hill in a conservation area?
Most of it isn't, but the Harrogate Conservation Area comes close on the town side. We'll check your address.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Harlow & St. Georges ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: Harrogate Conservation Area and listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.