Can I remove bottom newel post and lower balustrade?

C

cdbe

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I don't think they're structural?

I know I'll need a bit of handrail on the other wall.

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The aim is something like the lower section below, with the retained higher components clad in plasterboard and capped with oak:

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You can, they won’t be structural.
However, there are probably regs that would come to light when you sell.

However you do it, make iIt easy to retrofit a rail at sale time.
Have you thought about just opening the enclosed area? Use glass maybe?

My Mum’s house had the banisters removed, by the previous occupants, and was unnerving to do up.
As she got older I fitted a new bannister system and it felt way safer.
 
It actually looks better with the spindles all the way down IMO but the regs don't seem to require it even though falls on stairs are a significant cause of death or injury in dwellings.
 
This is part of the question, I'm under the impression that the regs say they can be open on the side, provided there's a handrail on the other side?

I've considered the glass, but can't afford to do the whole lot and think it may look a bit odd with just the lower bit done.
 
I think I've understood it now, balustrades are distinct from handrails in the regs - one to stop you falling down the stairs and one to stop you falling off the stairs (obviously they can be combined). Looks like I'll go for a frameless glass balustrade on the lower section - which can double up as handrail. I will need to figure out, if I clad and cap the higher up balustrades, whether it will meet the regs for a handrail in terms of grip.

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