Removing a staircase

[Andreagf]

Hi there, I’m considering buying a 1704 grade II listed cottage. The property has two staircases leading upstairs (unsure whether they are both original). Can anybody give me any advice on whether I am likely to get permission to remove one staircase to make room for a downstairs wc ?
TIA

 

[Cubist]

Have a chat with the local Conservation Officer. They will often advise prospective buyers of listed properties in their area.

 

[Kearn]

Highly highly unlikely. It’s a major part of the buildings history, whether it was two cottages at one stage, or more importantly, servants stairs.

Removing a piece of rustic fabric for a personal decision won’t really fly, and nor should it.

If one is a later modern thing, you may get away with reversing it.

Best advice with anything listed, if you can’t live in it as is is, carefully consider not purchasing, as it’s feasible you may not get permission to do anything…

 

[Andreagf]

Have a chat with the local Conservation Officer. They will often advise prospective buyers of listed properties in their area.

Thanks - I have emailed him I was just wondering whether anybody had a view on whether this was likely to be approved.

Highly highly unlikely. It’s a major part of the buildings history, whether it was two cottages at one stage, or more importantly, servants stairs.

Removing a piece of rustic fabric for a personal decision won’t really fly, and nor should it.

If one is a later modern thing, you may get away with reversing it.

Best advice with anything listed, if you can’t live in it as is is, carefully consider not purchasing, as it’s feasible you may not get permission to do anything…

Thanks for replying.

 

[Cubist]

With a Grade 2 listing its fairly reasonable but much will depend on the design of the property and whether the stairs, the ones you want to remove, are a particular feature the CO would have an interest in. A few years back our CO didn't bat an eye at my replacing the floors in a couple of bedrooms here but wanted a detailed spec for the Victorian era, and in parts rotten, stairs I wanted to sympathetically repair/replace. You won't know until you ask and its always helpful if you develop friendly relations with that office anyway.

Your description of the cottage could suggest either a very grand and large structure that might have merited two flights of stairs but it seems more likely to me to have been two cottages that have been converted to a single dwelling. Can you confirm?

 

[Andreagf]

Hi, thanks for your reply. It’s a small 2 bed cottage and we suspect that the steep staircase that we want remove is the original and that the second more conventional staircase was added at a later date.

 

[Cubist]

That can put a very different complexion on the matter. You CO may, just may, be open to the old stairs being removed but you would have to build a strong argument for him/her. Genuine original interior build features tend to be something they tend to want conserved wherever possible. As I say though, talk to them, after you've considered your arguments - nothing ventured nothing gained.

Some COs are starting to adopt the view that these old places need to adapt to the times and some of their features may put off future buyers.

 

[Andreagf]

Thank you !

 

[Kearn]

Hi, thanks for your reply. It’s a small 2 bed cottage and we suspect that the steep staircase that we want remove is the original and that the second more conventional staircase was added at a later date.

In which case, your proposal will realistically need to switch to removing the later modem stairs and amending your plans accordingly. Old stairs tell a big part of the story of a buildings history and are often great examples of vernacular carpentry and materials use, often creatively!

In order to speak with your CO nowadays, sadly you need to submit a pre app, which costs (price depends on LA whim), but then you can submit all your potential plans for now:future and discuss in advance with the CO who will oversee your full LBC app. A
D the whole thing will go much more smoothly if you have down that step and taken on board adjustments as discussed.

You can also do this in advance of purchasing, so if they say no way to anything, and that’s a show stopper, it’s not too late to abort the purchase.

 

[Andreagf]

Thank you - all advice appreciated.