Kitchen refits and chimney breast removal

Chimney breasts

A chimney breast built against a party wall is part of that wall. Removing it, in full or in part, is work to a party structure and normally needs a party structure notice.

Things to consider:

• The neighbour's flues. Chimneys are often shared, and the neighbour's flue may run beside yours. Removing the breast must not affect it.
• Support above. If the upper part of the breast stays, it must be properly supported, often on a steel beam or gallows brackets. Building control also has to approve this.
• The stack. If the stack is removed or rebuilt, that affects the neighbour too.

Knock-throughs and steel beams

Opening up the back of the house for a kitchen-diner often needs a steel beam. If the beam bears on the party wall, that is party structure work.

Kitchen units and fittings

Fixing wall units, shelves and worktops to a party wall uses ordinary small fixings and is generally not notifiable. Cutting deep chases for cables or pipes can be a grey area; keep chases shallow, or take advice.

Why it matters

Chimney breast removal is one of the most common causes of complaints from neighbours: cracks, soot falls and damaged flues. A notice and an award, or at least a schedule of condition, protects both sides.