Building Regs advice needed for new open plan kitchen

[alihamilton]

Hi there,

This is my first time in the forums, so I hope you can help.

We recently purchased a ground floor flat in a 4-storey, 1930's building. We want to take down a wall and make a new open-plan kitchen/dining space in the middle of the flat. All the rooms (2 bedrooms, 1 w/c, 1 bathroom, living room) would lead into this room. We intend to remove the door to the living room and put a plaster arch in.

I am worried about building regs. Being completely new to all this, I don't know whether I will have a problem or not. I have emailed my local building control, but it looks like this will take ages to get a straight answer.

I am getting a structural engineer round to tell us what if anything we need to do and to use for freeholder permission. I will use an electrician who will certify that the works are part-P compliant (underfloor heating going in as well), but I don't know whether the fire safety regs will put an end to my plans... Both bedrooms have windows into the garden/street and the living room has a patio door that gets out into the garden... Can anyone advise me on what, if anything, I might need to do to make sure I can go ahead and still be compliant?

Thanks

 

[OwainDIYer]

a sketch floor plan would be useful to explain what you want.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Comply to this and you have cracked it
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_B1_2010.pdf

The document is being amended in April
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/approved-documents-amends-list_2013.pdf

 

[alihamilton]

Thanks for the quick replies. The documents look a bit intimidating, but I will have a go!

I have included an image below. Its a plan of the flat, with the wall to be removed in yellow. Cooker (electric) will move to the opposite wall (separating kitchen from bedroom 2)

Cheers,

Ali

//media.diynot.com/200000_199192_55615_98751002_thumb.jpg

 

[^woody^]

You will need the permission of the freeholder, building regulations, and check to see if the Party Wall Act applies

A structural engineer will be able to comment on structural issues, but there are means of escape and fire precaution considerations (and lease issues), and IME , engineers are not always experienced in these other areas. Ask if yours is, otherwise find someone who can do everything

It is a waste of time trying to do this yourself, or get comments here apart from the most general pointers.