make a bigger opening in a chimney breast

[apj101]

Hi guys
I live on ground floor old Victorian end of terrace
(dont own flat above)
We have a chimney breast in our bedroom (with existing fireplace approx 4ft high)
Pretty sure the breast carries on all the way through the guy above and to the roof.
I dont want to totally remove the breast (as that would be a nightmare - as the guy above would have to remove it aswell!)

I want to
a) Remove the current fireplace
b) Increase the opening so it is about 6foot high
c) Put a new lintel in place

That way I can use the opening as a cupboard (well Ill have some cupboards fitted around the breast so they open up on the new cavity)

Ill will be doing this myself, and Id say I'm fairly confident I should be ok.

does that sound doable? Anyone have any suggestions, tips, advice???

 

[memor maplin]

Is the chimney capped?

 

[apj101]

I don't believe so

 

[memor maplin]

Get it swept.

When you put the lintel in seal the chimney and put a vent into the chimney breast above the seal so any future dampness in the chimney is not trapped.