Removing chimney next door

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We live in a row of terrace cottages which have large chimney breasts on the adjoining walls

Many houses have had them removed to free up space in rooms

Our next door neighbour has just sent us a message to say that there will be a bit of noise next week as their builder is coming round to remove the upstairs chimney breast.

I assumed party wall notice had to be done for this, but they are a young couple and it’s one of their family members who is the builder.

My concern isn’t that it won’t be done correctly as they’ve meticulously restored the house to the best it can be after being in a bad state of repair before but that we will need to remove the chimney on our side when we make some adjustments to the layout to do the loft conversion in a few years.

Will them having removed the chimney their side affect us?

Both our neighbours and us moved in at the same time and plan on staying in these houses long time so do not want to cause any difficulties

They will need to draw up a party wall agreement. You can do that without going to a professional if you trust them.
However you should have sight of their structural engineers calculations and I think they will need building control approval.
Take photos of your side in case any cracks appear.

Yes, absolutely; if they're doing work to the party wall, they need to draw up a party wall agreement.
Our chimney breasts were removed about 40 years ago (before our time) and the actual chimney propped up in the loft on what are called "gallows brackets". It wouldn't meet modern day building regs but our surveyor said it was fine - unless the house next next took their chimney breasts out too, in which case we should take the whole chimney down between us. I'm sure this will happen one day as the house next door is owned by a very old lady and is in a dreadful state.