How small is small? And what do you consider essential appliances? Apart from fridge, cooker, sink?

Definitely. My original kitchen was developer’s kitchen —ie, it photographed well but did not function. The only place to put a table in the kitchen itself would have been in front of the back door, which is itself a natural thoroughfare from the open plan living room. Now I have a lovely breakfast bar/peninsula facing the brightest part of the kitchen, and I can easily spend hours there over breakfast, brunch or coffee. Dinner I tend to eat in front of the tv, and when I’ve visitors the main table in the dining room is used.

This is a helpful podcast if you are thinking about what size of kitchen island you want or what to go for: https://shows.acast.com/love-your-kitchen/episodes/exploring-function-over-aesthetics-with-amnda-hughes

@kazzh Adding a wall as suggested by HU won't allow for the intention of an open plan with the living room as and adding a wall by the current opening will remove a lot of afternoon light from the living room. Adding the laundry to the pantry is certainly possible, it's an idea that has been considered, but we didn't know a) how possible it was to create a new waste pipe and where to run to, possibly the bathroom next door. b) how to position the pantry area to consider a reduced length of waste pipe to avoid a mass of disruption of other units ie cutting holes in them. Moving the patio door isn't impossible, as we can just brick up the current and add a window, then add a patio door to the extension. Thank you so much so far!