It's useless, damaged, and dangerous, but the fight is on to save this heritage-listed chimney in a Wellington backyard.

The old chimney and washing copper, part of the heritage-listed Emeny House in Mt Cook, was badly damaged by a storm several months ago.

Property owner Tony De Lorenzo, who purchased the Ranfurly Terrace house shortly before it was given heritage status in 2007, says the structure is unsafe and wants it to be demolished.

But he is facing stiff competition from Wellington City Council officials who say the old chimney is part of the character of the 19th-century Victorian-style villa and won't be given up without a fight.

That means acquiring resource consent, an engineer's report, an environmental assessment, and potentially an an archaeological survey.

All of that could take up to a year and cost De Lorenzo about $1500.

An environmental assessment, which De Lorenzo said he would complete himself to save costs, would need to list the nature of demolition work, a description of significant parts, what was proposed for each item, why any items were replaced, and the effect of demolition on the property's heritage value.

Only then would the council make a call on whether the structure could be removed.

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