Widen Loft Hatch

Windofchange

I'm after a bit of advice. We want to widen the access hatch to our loft space so as we can make better use of the area. What this will entail is taking away one upright beam to the right of the loft hatch and knocking out some plaster. I am happy to repair the plaster, and there are no pipes or electrical wires there, but wanted some advice as to whether this particular beam is likely to be load bearing.

The below link shows the beam in question - it's the one with the light switch attached to it - basically the frame of the loft hatch.

https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=9822370496

This is the view from above the beam. I believe this is called a knee wall and the back right hand side is supporting some of the rafters from the roof:

https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=9822370565

The beam itself doesn't appear to be holding any load (this is the beam to the right of the one I want to take out, but the one I want to remove is similar - just seems to be a contact point to hold the lathe and plaster to).

https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=9822370625

This is the view from the outside of the loft:

https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=9822370658

In essence, I want to cut through that beam, take it out and then install a new architrave. Has anyone done something like this before, or have any ideas as to the likelihood of taking that beam away causing problems? I know I could call a builder, but wanted to see if the forum at large has any experience.

unforeseen

Can't access photos. Links just end up at Photobox home page

Windofchange

Oh. Does it work now from the link below?

Furts

impossible to pass comment. There is no indication of what is happening, structurally, from the photos.

Windofchange

At the back right of that knee wall the rafters come down and appear to attach to some of it. Given that there is no load directly above the loft frame, I would have thought I am safe to assume there is no load bearing going through that part? Do knee walls tend to take a lot of load or are they more for keeping things neat etc?

Furts

Nobody can say without seeing it. Lets just say it is a most unconventional loft hatch - they are usually in a ceiling. It looks like a purlin running over the door - fine if it is designed unsupported except for the ends, but many purlins also require strut support which cannot be removed. I do not know what you have and you may be trying to remove a strut!