Of course. The dimensions would depend on the size of the fireplace/burner you would be going for. The opening would have to be made of non-flammable material, such as brick, stone, metal, porcelain tiles, Vermiculite Board, etc. You could use non-flammable paint over that. For example, our freestanding baskets like the one Richard posted above need 60 cm clearance from the bottom to the top; or if you wanted a contemporary line of fire look you could go for our Regulating Bio Containers like the one in the photo below - all required dimensions are available in the brochure with building advice on our website. We hope that helps :) Good luck with the project!

You could add a bioethanol fire: https://www.fireworld.co.uk/bio-ethanol-fires/imagin-fires-malvern-black-bioethanol-stove?ref=base&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3sz5_JqX3QIVLbvtCh13oA2gEAQYGyABEgI1DfD_BwE; https://www.imaginfires.co.uk/pembrey-bioethanol-fireplace?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7prAl5uX3QIVjp3tCh0s8QdlEAQYBCABEgK9G_D_BwE They are expensive but you can take it with you when you move. Alternatively, you could make a feature by adding candles or different size pots. Maybe also think about painting the fireplace wall a different colour - what other colours are in the room?

@rinked Thanks, good idea - i'll see what it looks like later. @Suzanne C thank you for sharing your experience and pictures. We'll be going out for quotations once our planning is granted so i'll make sure i get a cost for wet UFH. I think it would be the preferred route with the warmth underfloor and extra wall space is always good in open plan extensions. @minipie Thank you. The software really is great once you get to grips with it. We've started to obtain budget costs on the roof lights and one company has offered to take us to see a few recently completed projects which should hopefully give us some inspiration and allow us to gain some feedback from previous clients. I'll aim to get at least one opening roof light after all the advice received on this board. Thank you for sharing your experience. I'll look into the small radiator in the bathroom. Good idea. The extract routes are pretty easy as the kitchen hood is on an external wall, as is the utility. The WC fan will follow the existing route above the utility rooms ceiling. Not sure on the subfloor as not taken up any flooring so far but the house was built around 2003 so you'd expect a pretty thick solid concrete slab so it might not be as easy as excavating in an older property.

Thanks for all your comments, lots of food for thought which we will consider carefully. I like the idea of an electric fire but my husband is a pyromaniac so would only consider a wood burner!! The suggestion of changing the position to the wall by the TV is one we will look into, it may not be possible as the living room is a single storey extension so I’m not sure about the flue. The house will definitely be warm enough without the need of a fire but there’s something lovely about having a fire, plus we want to add character to what could be a very modern, clinical new-build. I wasn’t aware you could get rotating stoves so we’ll definitely look into those. Thanks again.