https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/34/kitchens_and_bathrooms/6 This advice says that you have to have an extractor if you don't have a window to open. I think that an extractor helps complete the look even if you don't need one. If you have a chimney extractor you will find that the ceiling fixings are designed for a flat ceiling thereby necessitating a bulkhead. Alternatively you could put in a bigger bulkhead with a flush extractor built into the boxing. My preferred option would be to have a statement recirculating extractor with an extra extractor somewhere discrete above the cabinets on an outside wall to vent if cooking something very fragrant.

Hi there. Looking for some related advice. We''re also ordering a new kitchen and are trying to decide on an extractor. The only issue is that the ceiling is about 3.25-3.5m high so everyone keeps telling us to have a bulkhead over the island as a ceiling mounted extractor will be inefficient otherwise (we're told a height of more than 1.5m above the hob is the maximum; ours will be about 2.2m...). We really don't want anything hanging from the ceiling over the kitchen island as it is in an open space and will ruin the whole open plan concept. Do you know of any flush ceiling mounted extractors with motors which are strong enough to work at that height? Currently looking at Falmec, Sirius and Frecan but would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Is the cooker planned to go against a external wall? You have a few options but it sounds like your steel beam might be right in the way of the duct if it's going straight up. If it's set back and you don't have another floor above, the duct can easily go through the roof. If you have a second floor above then it's more difficult. But there is plenty of ways you can duct out the back wall without wall cupboards. for example the cover for the ductwork can be placed all the wall up to the ceiling even when the duct has taken a turn out the wall. There are contemporary looking exhaust units that will cover the turn straight out to the wall, with no obvious duct work on show. Or you can just get a pop up exhaust or a flush ceiling mounted one. The latter two in my opinion aren't as effective.

Hi- I also considered using a ceiling extractor fan over my hob. Like yours my hob is on a wall, not on an island. As long as your space can meet the installation requirements for ducting, distances, electrical connections, etc, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t use one.