Historic flow thru' building

[LOTUS]

Hello all
I am newly registered here and wonder if anyone has any advice or knowledge to help us. We live in a Grade II cottage. 2 staircases, one main one and the other at one end ofthe house. There is a step ladder type stair leading from no2 staircase to the attic rooms. We would like to remove no2 stairs to improve flow upstairs. CO has said she cannot support this as it will interfere with the historic flow of traffic thru the building. Should we have an histoirical survey done?

Anyone got any advice that might help our case. We want to continue living here, we are not doing it to sell on. As a family house it is terribly impractical but we love it here.
Thanks for reading.

 

[Manders]

Hi,

Is the rear stair original or early? It may be that it was a servants stair or similar and therefore important to the original layout and function of the property. In that case it is unlikely that you will recieve consent to remove it. If it is a modern insertion it may be worth considering it further. Is it mentioned in the list description for your house? Not as it not being in the decsription means anything necessarily, but if it is mentioned, it may offer an idea of age or function. I would do this before enlisting the help of a consultant.

Hope that this helps.

 

[Penners]

Good advice from Manders. The age of the staircase is important in any discussion you have with your CO, particularly the fact of whether it was in existence when the building was listed.

If it wasn't, then you have a case to argue for its removal. But if it did exist at the time of listing, then you have virtually no case, I'm afraid. Of course, the staircase may well not be mentioned in the listing (descriptions are usually pretty sketchy), in which case the decision will come down to an assessment of the age of the staircase.

Above all, you need to remember that the CO's only duty is to the building, and not to its convenience for your lifestyle. If the CO has already satisfied herself that the staircase did exist at the time of listing, then your chances of changing her mind are probably remote.

So unless you feel there is some factor that makes your case strong, engaging the services of a historical surveyor could prove to be a wasted expense.

It's very easy to become rather obsessed about changing some feature of your home that you regard as inconvenient. I don't mean that to sound unkind or insulting - I've been guilty of it myself. But quite often if you can look at the feature in a different way, then it's easier to relax and live with it.

Would it be worthwhile posting a couple of photos here and inviting people's comments on how best to live with and use the staircase?

 

[DaveBrigg]

We also have a main staircase, and what must have been servants stairs tucked away at one end. The room above has no fireplace or skirting board. They are a little quirky, and more wobbly since the earthquake, but they are part of the charm of the place. They are also handy for when guests stay, avoiding a walk through another bedroom.
If your CO is unlikely to give consent for the stairs to be removed, try asking what would be acceptable. Could they be widened or have a less awkward staircase fitted, to allow safe use? Would it be possible to temporarily board over the top, so that they were preserved but hidden? CO's tend to be reasonable people, and if you explain your point of view and ask for an acceptable solution, they will be able to call upon previous experience which may enable a compromise to be reached.

 

[middi]

Hi, I agree with the earlier replies , I also agree that a " ladder" style staicase is dangerous, mostly useless ( especially if another already exists in the building) and takes up space which we could put to better uses given our way of living.

I also must agree ( with any CO point of view) that it is exactly those "incovenient" constructions in an historic building that help give it's listed and therefore historical status, by removing or greatly modifying such constructions You wil help to destroy part of that status.

By all means ask the CO (as suggested) if the situaton could be improved for your needs and that any ideas would be welcome.

Another way would be to "learn" to love your historical asset. After all there cannot be many "ladder" staicases left ( everybody wants to get rid of them :wink: )

 

[Penners]

Would it be possible to temporarily board over the top, so that they were preserved but hidden?

Or enclosed within a cupboard and used as shelving?