(B) Open Plan Living _ 3d View

I think it all depends on how you live in the space and whether you perceive there to being A benefit to it being open all the time/having the flexibility to close it.

We put in double pocket doors to what we just did (I started a before and after post before Christmas) we do actually use them and really appreciate the flexibility of it. between the kitchen and living room we have telescopic doors to minimise the walls on either side.

But I suspect you’ll need a bigger steel to fully open it? which probably has cost implications.

For me it’s entirely dependent on how you would live in the space.

Take heating the area into consideration. I know someone who knocked their walls out and regretted it. They said they’ve not got warm since during the winter months.

Insulation (and thus energy efficiency) should be a priority when building new.

If the sun room is on the southern aspect - it’s almost a shame that you don’t position it further up, behind the kitchen - so you access point remains as A, but then you can go out into a western facing patio for evening summer meals too ... Is that sort of thing appealing/possible ?

( assuming you are in northern hemisphere)

Henderson doors (P C Henderson) are a great way to divide rooms, giving privacy and connection in equal measure. Your hesitance suggests you might want to consider the threshold between the kitchen/diner, sunroom 7 and room 8 to offer flexibility and with the right scheme you can have variations to suit everyday; whether a winters day, a summers days, a party evening full of guests or Christmas with lots of family... you just need to imagine it :)

Thanks guys for your input, great to have multiple opinions. I have been convinced the flexibility of closing off the main living room with a sliding door would be valued in the long run. Rear of house will be south west facing, (North Hem). The sunroom (room8) will serve mostly as second living room/Playroom down the line so yes flexibility wins.

Gabby great job on the renovation, how wide did you go on the sliding doors.

OnePlan, yes i do agree with you by pushing the sunroom further back. We have a ensuite over the sunroom serving a master bedroom initially over the living room. Master bedroom now at the rear so shouldn't be problem.

Link to 3d View.

https://home.by.me/en/project/blazeajb/fireplace

Sunroom pushed back.

Upstairs. (Bed to be moved to moving sunroom back)

Note site was purchased with an initial design which didn't take advantage of the orientation, very little windows at rear. Without having to submit for major design changes, trying to tweek here any there. Back ground images in above would be our first revision.

Any further tips with better use of space appreciated.

I’m going to say something- please don’t be offended.
I think the original land seller put a standard house on this site and added a room on the side to make the house big enough for the plot.
It doesn’t make sense to try and save a bit on planning if this house isn’t right for the plot and wasn’t designed for your needs. And personally I think the sun room position reduces the flow of the kitchen and reduces wall space for cabinets and because it looks subservient to the main house means the main house looks smaller and less impressive than if you had designed it from scratch.
I recognise that getting the plan right uses time and adds to costs but surely it’s better to spend a year building something that does the plot justice, works for you and is as impressive as possible to maximise resale.

There are two things I would consider first as they make a difference to the feel of the house:

Sunlight

Space

How does the living room and kitchen receive sunlight? Is it N,E,S,W facing?

Would you consider the living room large or small?

If any of the rooms do not get much sunlight, it is worth opening it up to allow the light to pour in.

If you have a number of guests, would it be a squeeze in the Living room?

Personally, the open plan looks the best. You already have another cosy living room.

I have to agree with Jonathans comment above.

You really are better off paying the relatively small cost of submitting a revised design to the planners so you get the house you really want that actually works well with the site.

Rather than paying for all the building work and not being completely happy with the end result.

I've seen so many people struggle to work within a terrible design, that has been thrown together just to sell a piece of land at greater profit because it's got planning permission.

When you've decided on any changes you want to make you can have a chat with the planner to see if they would be considered material or non-material amendments to the approved plans. That will help you with what kind of application to submit or if you need to submit an application at all to cover changes, and if you do what the chances are of them being approved.