Hi All
I live in a house which has been converted from 2 smaller cottages. There are 2 staircases in the house, at opposite ends (east and west wing - hahaha).
All rooms at first floor level have windows which have door like openings large enough for an adult to easily exit through. (with child safe opening restrictors fitted !)
The staircase at the west wing opens onto a hallway leading directly to the front door, with doorways off to a living room (no door exit) and a lounge - the lounge also has a doorway to the outside as well as connecting through into the rest of the house. There is a first room opening onto this staircase which has been opened up to the loft area, with a small upper "gallery" area created with a sunken bed.
The staircase on the east wing opens via a door into a small kitchen with door to the outside, and a door larger room with door to the outside.
The west and east staircases are connected at first floor level by a corridor which runs the length of the house.
We intend to combine the small and large rooms on the east side into one large kitchen.
My question is - Do we need a door at ground floor level into the stairs in the converted (east wing) kitchen? I am hoping that the alternative exit route from the first floor means that we can open this area up.
Any thoughts ?
Thanks
Andy