Hello Builder
Thanks for your help on this thread
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Civil/Question1252112.html
Following your advice we have got quotes from another 2 stonemasons which have come in a lot lower than £4000.
They are roughly equal and , although less than the first, they are still an eye-watering amount for a totally useless chimney which will be seen by very few people. (But there will always be one who could report us to the Listed Buildings people if we do not comply with their ridiculous regulations.)
Thank you very much.
I posted in Home and Garden as I think you're more often here than in Law.
ladyalex :-))