Do you need planning permission to remove an internal chimney breast
Ava Hall
Updated on April 11, 2026
Do I Need Planning Permission to Remove a Chimney Breast? No. Planning permission is not required for internal alterations, like removing a chimney breast, as they don’t constitute development.
Do you need building regs to remove chimney breast?
You won’t need a building regulations application to just remove the stack above the roofline. However you will need a building regulations application to remove all of the chimney stack throughout the house as the stack may support walls, floors or the roof structure.
Can you remove an interior chimney?
Removing a chimney isn’t as simple as getting rid of the visible stack. This part is only a tiny portion of the actual chimney structure. A full removal involves getting rid of the entire structure and often leads to extra space in rooms where the breast is intruding. … Partial removals tend to leave the breast.
Can you remove a chimney without planning permission?
Generally speaking You normally only need to ask for planning permission for alterations that affect the outside appearance of your home. … Therefore if you are planning to remove the chimney from above roof level, you would be required to seek planning consent in order to do this.Do you need Neighbours permission to remove chimney breast?
If any part of the chimney breast from a Party Wall is close to the boundary of a neighbouring property, the Party Wall etc. Act requires you to obtain the written consent of the owner/s of the neighbouring property before starting the work. It is worth taking advice from an expert Party Wall Surveyor.
Can you remove ground floor chimney breast?
An internal chimney breast can be removed at ground and/or first floor without having to remove the external stack. No only does this mean it is actually not as disruptive as you might have thought, but it also avoids the need to alter the roof or external appearance and character of the building.
Do you need planning permission to remove an internal wall?
As a general rule, you don’t need planning permission for removing internal walls. But, if you are renovating a listed building, then you need consent for any external or internal work. You may also need your council to approve the work if it is load-bearing.
How much does it cost to remove a chimney breast UK?
Type of removalDurationCost + VAT (Range low – high)Bedroom floor chimney breast removal4 – 5 days£400 – £600Removal of both chimney breasts5 – 7 days£800 – £1,000Removal of chimney stack3 – 8 hours£1,000 – £1,350Labour costsPer day£100 – £150Is it worth removing a chimney breast?
Some chimney breasts jut out significantly, taking up floor space that could now be put to better use. … So, some people might want to remove their chimney breast to make way for a more eco-friendly fire that is more effective at heating their room.
Is a chimney breast structural?However, chimney breasts often have structural function. Therefore removal needs to be done with care, and preferably with professional advice. The removal of part (especially the lower part) of a breast can cause uneven loading on a wall, especially if the upper part is not suitably supported, ideally on an I-beam.
Article first time published onIs a chimney breast a party wall?
Chimney breast removal is one of the most common types of Party Wall work that our Party Wall Surveyors deal with. Historically chimney breasts where used to heat a house, which is why in older properties such as Edwardian or Victorian houses, you tend to see fireplaces in both the reception rooms and the bedrooms.
How much does it cost to remove a brick chimney?
A partial chimney or fireplace demolition costs $500 to $2,000. A complete removal could run $4,000 to $6,000. Because chimneys are often deeply integrated into the structure of your home, it is important to invest in the cost of a structural engineer for about $500 prior to demolition.
What can I do with a kitchen chimney breast?
- Inset your cooker in the kitchen. …
- Make a picture and storage hallway feature. …
- Fit a wood burning stove. …
- Experiment with partially exposing the brickwork. …
- Go bespoke with built in alcove shelves. …
- Tighter budget? …
- Double wardrobe it. …
- Tile and style.
Can you change internal layout after planning permission?
Yes: it’s possible to make changes to an existing planning permission and to change a recently approved planning permission. Our handy guide below will show you the easiest ways to make amendments after receiving planning permission.
How much does it cost to take down an interior wall?
Removing a wall can cost anywhere between $300 and $10,000 depending on the scope of the entire project. Non-load bearing walls run between $300 to $1,000 according to HomeAdvisor.com. Cost factors include the size of the wall, expert advice and repairs to your ceiling, floor and adjacent walls post-removal.
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
Fireplace and chimney removal costs $3,000 to $6,000 for an entire demolition with structural support and home repairs. A partial removal costs $500 to $2,500 for a wood-burning stove, gas fireplace insert, chimney stack, or breast. A large brick or stone chimney can cost $4,000 to $10,000 to remove.
Can you knock through a wall with chimney breast?
Chimney breast walls, although sometimes there for cosmetics—are often constructed for structural support. If you want to rip out the wall, you’ll need a professional to give it a once-over, so you won’t cause irreparable damage to the rest of your home.
Should I remove my fireplace?
Our experts says that, in most cases, you should just leave your fireplace be. … He would never advise removing a fireplace unless there were certain reasons to justify this action. “Even if someone doesn’t plan on using it, they can turn it into a decorative fireplace and put candles or stacked wood in it,” he says.
What is chimney breast?
The chimney breast wall is the material surrounding your fireplace inside your home. … Homeowners look into having the breast wall removed to free up more living space. Chimney breast walls can be quite large and intrusive, taking up a lot of square footage that could be put to better use.
Do you need planning permission to rebuild a chimney stack?
Fitting, altering or replacing an external flue or chimney or installing a new woodburning stove all fall under the Building Regulations, although they are not typically tasks that require planning permission.
How hard is it to remove a brick fireplace?
Removing a brick fireplace can be a long and difficult job, but you can do it with a bit of experience and the right tools. … As you reach the bottom, you can switch the tools you’re working with to finish faster. When you’re done, all you need to do is patch your walls to finish!
Will removing fireplace decrease home value?
But losing a fireplace can affect a home’s appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.
Can you make a chimney breast narrower?
yes it is possible to reduce the chimney breast but there are various ways of doing it. It may be possible to rebuild it as it but smaller but there are a lot of factors to consider.
Can you put cooker in chimney breast?
– The chimney breast will most likely not have an opening height suitable for the height of the cooker so it may need to be raised. Check this dimension and also the clear height that the extractor unit needs to be above an electrical or gas hob.
Can I wallpaper chimney breast with log burner?
Use suitable materials! You may wonder if you can wallpaper around a contemporary log burner in the middle of room or any wall covering behind a wood burning stove – in terms of safety, the answer is no. The general rule is not to wallpaper your chimney breast decoration.