Best approach for damaged lathe & plaster walls

[mimrom2023]

We have a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse that was used for decades as offices and very poorly maintained. All walls and ceilings completely covered in woodchip. In several rooms I can feel behind the woodchip that the original plaster is ruined I.e. I could put my hand through it if the woodchip were not there. I’m keen to do things properly, and my preference is to have them repaired if this would be the best way forward, but equally I do not want to risk the entire wall collapsing. Is it a better option to overboard and skim?

 

[LadyArowana]

If the lath still in good condition and it’s just the lime plaster which has failed amd crumbling away?

 

[mimrom2023]

I checked one of the other walls where it feels the same but the plaster is actually blown there and it looks like the lath isn’t too bad. It does move a bit when pressed but maybe that’s normal? Pic attached. From doing some reading on here it seems like maybe we could simply remove the plaster from the lath where it is damaged and repair those areas?

 

[erikwoolf]

I checked one of the other walls where it feels the same but the plaster is actually blown there and it looks like the lath isn’t too bad. It does move a bit when pressed but maybe that’s normal? Pic attached. From doing some reading on here it seems like maybe we could simply remove the plaster from the lath where it is damaged and repair those areas? View attachment 12521

We did some lath and plaster repairs albeit on our ceiling. It was a moment of desperation as trying to patch repair overhead was quite tricky but after a bit of trial and error it worked. I think it will be easier to repair a wall. The lath will move a bit if you press on it so if it is a little is ok.
More importantly though do you know why the plaster has blown in the first place? Might need to sort the source first.
I will be against putting plasterboard on the walls as it will basically affect the ability of the house to regulate humidity but final choice depends on extend of damage your budget and access to a good plasterer.