Composite & timber decking in Ampthill
Decks for Ampthill's Georgian town houses and newer estates such as Ampthill Heights, built for sandy ridge or clay ground.
Decking in Ampthill typically costs £200–£250 per m² supplied and fitted in composite and £110–£140 per m² in softwood timber; a 15–20m² composite deck is usually £3,000–£5,000. The town stands on the sandy Greensand Ridge but gives its name to the Ampthill Clay on the lower ground to the north, so we confirm which you are on before designing the drainage.
- Composite, fitted
- £200–£250 per m²
- Planning
- Not needed under 30cm high
- Ground
- Greensand sand, clay to the north
- Guarantee
- 5 years, in writing
Guide prices from 2026 online price guides, at the higher end; your fixed price comes in writing after the free design visit. Planning rules checked October 2026.
Composite & timber decking in Ampthill
Ampthill is a Georgian market town whose market place, pump and clock tower were improved in the 1780s, with the thatched Ossory Cottages, Ampthill Great Park beside it, and newer estates such as Ampthill Heights and Ampthill Gardens on the former brewery land. Many historic frontages sit right on the pavement, so the space for a deck is behind the house. On the newer estates, rear gardens are more regular, and a deck often becomes the main seating area off the back doors.
Ampthill is in Central Bedfordshire Council's area, and the price of a deck here follows size, height and whether the plot is on sand or clay. Composite is £200–£250 per m² supplied and fitted and softwood £110–£140 per m², so a 15–20m² composite deck on Ampthill Heights or in a town house garden is usually £3,000–£5,000. Raised decks cost more once balustrades and steps are added. After a free design visit we give a fixed price in writing.
What makes Ampthill different
The town stands on the sandy Greensand Ridge, yet the lower ground to the north is Ampthill Clay, and the change from free-draining sand to heavy clay can happen within a short distance. On sand, rain drains away beneath a deck easily; on clay we design drainage under the frame. Ampthill Conservation Area is large and includes Church Square, and boundary walls and railings matter to the planners there. There is no Article 4 direction.
A typical Ampthill deck sits in the rear garden of a Georgian or Victorian town house or a newer home on Ampthill Heights or Ampthill Gardens. The work usually involves checking whether the plot is sand or clay, setting pads or posts on firm ground, building a braced frame, laying a membrane with drainage where needed, and fixing composite or softwood boards.
Sources: Central Bedfordshire conservation areas and appraisals.
Permissions and checks in Ampthill
- Step 1Decking in a rear garden is normally permitted development if no part of it is more than 30cm above the ground and, with other outbuildings and platforms, it covers no more than half the garden. A raised deck over 30cm needs planning permission, and a listed house needs consent. Listed buildings and conservation areas in Ampthill have tighter rules, so we check your address before anything is designed. Planning Portal: decking
- Step 2Trees in a conservation area need six weeks’ written notice before any work, and trees with a Tree Preservation Order need consent — both are free. Central Bedfordshire Council: trees in conservation areas
- Step 3We check the ground and the planning position at the free design visit and give you one fixed written price.
Rules checked October 2026.
What you get in Ampthill
- Greensand or Ampthill Clay confirmed before drainage is designed
- Listed status and conservation area checked for town centre houses
- Frame kept clear of historic boundary walls
- Composite boards that will not rot, splinter or need staining, or pressure-treated softwood
- Frame built to the board maker's joist spacing, so boards do not bounce or bow
- Picture-frame edges, hidden fixings and LED step lights where you want them
The specification
- Ground levelled, weed membrane and drainage gravel laid
- Posts or pads on firm ground, set in concrete
- Treated softwood or aluminium sub-frame, braced and level
- Boards fixed to the manufacturer's spacing and fixings
- Edges, fascias, steps and lighting finished
- Five year written guarantee, transferable if you sell
“Connor and the team recently completed our resin driveway in Bletchley. From going through the design with us and even making pictures so we could see how it looked, to the install and the aftercare, it has all been perfect. Thanks again.”
Resin driveway — Bletchley
“Milton Keynes Driveways & Landscaping have just finished our full garden makeover in Milton Keynes. We had a porcelain patio, composite decking and raised sleeper beds. They arrived on time, kept my home clean and the garden looks terrific. They are coming back to do our block paved driveway soon.”
Full garden makeover — Milton Keynes
Everything else we do here
Composite & timber decking in Ampthill: questions
How much does decking cost in Ampthill?
Do I need planning for a deck in Ampthill?
We are on the north side of town. Will the ground drain?
Our garden has an old brick boundary wall. Can the deck sit against it?
What composite & timber decking cost
Our composite & timber decking cost guide breaks the price down: what is included, what changes it and what to check in any quote.
Free design visits across Ampthill
We measure up, check the ground, talk it through and send a written proposal with the build-up, the programme and one whole price. No pressure and no follow-up sales calls.