Planning permission to take out chimney required?

sneaky

I am in the process of decoraring my new house and have decided to take out the chimneys from the bedrooms to make more space. Do I need permission from the council or can I just go ahead?

Biggie

I think you may need to building regs depending on it's a structural change.

liitleblackcat

If its inside the house the planners won't be interested - they are generally only concerned with the outside appearance and any impacts on neighbours. You should talk to Building Control, though, as taking out chimneys could have an impact on the structural integrity of the ceilings and roof and may need structural calculations.

On the other hand, if you want to take the risk and know what you are doing, what they don't know won't harm them.

phill99

You don't need PP unless you have a listed house (when you will need Listed Building Consent). You will need Building Regulations Though. They will come and look and if you aren't taking the whole chimney out ie up to the roof line, it will need to be supported on 'Gallows Brackets'. The inspector will tell you how big they need to be.

Its unwise to do it without consent. If something did go wrong you will be up the well known canal without a paddle. Additionally, when you come to sell it and the purchasers solicitors ask for a copy of the Building Regulation Consent, you will have problems. Building Regs are there to protect the general public from mentally distressed home owners who think they can just go around knocking structurally significant parts of their houses around.

Bungarm2001

You need building regs to get involved as everyone else has pointed out..planning aren't interested in this sort of stuff (unless listed etc etc)

Be warned, it is one of the filthiest messiest jobs you can do..the resultant dust, soot etc will get EVERYWHERE, believe me, no matter how careful you are.

My best advice is if you do go ahead is get a proper dust mask, not the cheap ones they do in multi-packs in BxQ but a proper one with filters. You don't want to be coughing up ancient soot and dust for months.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: Excellent advice is available here ...perhaps similar info can be found on other council websites.

HTH

Canucklehead