Widening a fireplace

[Hepath]

Hi all hopefully someone can help.

My living room used to have a very large fireplace which was 'slimmed' down by the previous owner. I wish to enlarge the hole to take a woodburner stove.

Images are available [url=http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/Hepath/Fireplace/]here[/url] showing the existing fireplace and the proposed/tentative design.

The idea is to cut off the existing fireplace and build a facade around it, using the new walls to carry a new lintel to support the existing fireplace brickwork above it.

With the existing breast being 36"(w) x 14"(d), would the depth need supporting with additional lintels?

Is plastered breeze block ok (internal to the fire as well)?

Hoping for some replies

[TheDoctor5]

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