Chimneybreast and concrete alcove removal

There is always a way to remove a chimney breast, but it is not a simple task. There are a number of points to bear in mind. Firstly, is the chimney on a wall with an adjoining neighbour? If so, you will likely need to consider 'The Party Wall etc. Act', before doing any structural work to it. You could be held responsible if you remove the chimney and it causes problems to the adjoining owner's property. Secondly, if you are removing the chimney in the habitable areas only, the stack above will need to be supported. You will require a structural engineer to design a suitable beam to carry these loads and assess the impact of the work on the integrity of the building. A building regulation application will also be required. Finally, you mention damp. Normally damp within chimneys is caused by poor ventilation within the chimney itself. It may also be blocked up with years of rubbish. You should ensure the flues are fully cleared out and that ventilation is installed at the top and the bottom of each flue within the chimney. This will allow the chimney to breathe and hence dry it out. Additional work of damp proofing and tanking may be required in severe cases. I hope this helps. Joe @ Josef Architecture.