Opening a gable end with chimney

[davidmtindall]

I'm hoping to open up a gable end on the ground floor of a 2 storey rubble construction cottage built around 1850. Problem is there is a chimney breast. Is it possible to open this wall up to fit large windows on the ground floor. Obviously I won't be doing the work myself, but before I engage a structural engineer and get quotes from builders I just want to know if it't possible to open a gable end with chimney?

 

[r896neo]

Do you intend to leave the chimney and open either side of it? Or remove the chimney and support it at first floor level?

Whatever you are quoted, budget for serious contingency. Whilst anything is possible if you throw enough money at it structural alteration to rubble built properties can be hugely difficult.

Is there any kind of listing/ conservation protection on the building?

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

In my rock and rubble cottage (Wensleydale) the flue and fire place are built within the thickness of the wall (24") so the wall is flat. If you have an "internal" flue with a more typical chimney breast, was this a Victorian modification?, is it built from brick? If it is an original "feature" then to build a window across it, it needs to be taken right down including the chimney stack because the walls will to too unstable to take gallows brackets.
Frank

 

[davidmtindall]

The chimney is original, rock, and is full width of the wall, just under 30". I think you have both confirmed what I probably know already and it won't be possible without throwing huge sums of cash at it. Thanks for the replies.