plasma222

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on whether a timber post at the bottom of my staircase is structural or can be safely removed. Property: UK house Location: Entrance hallway, bottom of stairs Post size: approx. 65 × 65 mm Stair type: timber staircase, closed string, first flight from ground floor From inspection so far: Post is approx. 65 mm square Bottom of post appears to sit on finished floor (no visible steel shoe or concrete fixing) Top is tight to ceiling with filler/paint but no obvious connection to a beam Stair stringer is not housed into the post Connection to the stairs appears to be via small timber blocks/spacers rather than a structural joint Stairs feel solid and self-supporting Photos attached show: Base of the post at floor level Head of the post at ceiling level Detail of connection between post and stair stringer Wider context of the staircase and hallway Questions: Does this look like a load-bearing / structural post, or just a balustrade/newel post? Is this type of post typically removable in UK stair construction? If removed, are there any recommended precautions or temporary supports? Would removal normally fall under Building Control, or not? I’m not planning to leave the stairs without a balustrade — this would be replaced with a compliant alternative. Any input from experienced builders, joiners, or engineers would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.