Removal of chimney breast requiring building approval?

[cupcakeandtea]

Long before we moved into our Victorian semi, the chimney breast in the dining room was capped off and a landing was put in across it. Obviously the chimney no longer works.

We are very near exchanging contracts and our buyer's solicitors are asking for evidence that the structural work had the correct building regulation approval. No such thing was required when I bought the house 10 years ago and my buyer's solicitors are saying that if we can't provide the regulation approval then we'll have to provide an indemnity policy.

I know this is as boring as hell but has anyone else experienced this?

Contact the (generally lovely and very helpful) people at the building regs dept at your local council and see what they say, they should either have it on their records or be able to advise, I think.