PEOPLE intending to carry out building work which could include building or removing walls and floors are being urged by Pendle Council to seek advice first.

Building Regulations concerning the construction of walls and floors between dwellings will be changed and strengthened from July 1, 2003.

This is due to poor sound insulation and noisy neighbours becoming a major source of complaint to local authorities throughout the country.

It has become fashionable to remove the chimney breasts and chimneys from terraced houses to make more space.

But Pendle Council's principal building control officer, Jim Cooper, said: "Removal of chimney breasts can have serious effects on the sound insulation standards and structural stability of terraced houses.

"We would like to discourage these types of alterations and point out that this work must be carried out with the written consent of your neighbours under The Party Wall Act 1996 and permission from the council under Building Regulations."