Planned Island (in the design photos) is square 1.2mx1.2m. From the back part of the kitchen, there is sufficient space to move it even 1.2m away. If we make the island smaller, there would be more room on each side for passage (current 0.72m), but even if we make it just 1m, that would only add only 0.1m on each side (bringing it up to 0.82m - enough to pass, but a bit tight in terms of looks, how it makes nice big open space appear crowded). And the island would be rather small so not really worth it.

You have more bench space without the island but the pantry ends up very close to the cooktop. What is more functional for you?

.72m is way too small can you provide room dimensions with doorways and windows plus connected room (siriuskey)

Can u
OST a plan showing dimension of kitchen area and the area in front. Add windows as well please. Need 800 mm walkway plus wider if doors opening into it.

Kitchen is 3.4m (side where the oven and the range-hood are) and will be 3.5m where the window and sink are.

We have decided that the best will be for the pantry to be half width (0.4m), so there will be another 0.4m wide wall cabinet between the randgehood and the pantry (and one bottom cabinet between oven and pantry, extending the benchtop in-between). That will open up the space where rangehood and the cooktop are (design without the island).

Having the fridge near the windows closes the room in. Feels much bigger and spacious with the peninsula bench, plus has more seating.

Fridge in far corner, long peninsula looks open and gives you way more benching. I know it is fashionable to have an island but you have to work in kitchen so benching is more important really. (cupboard from corner into family side of bench too!)

Prefer with island but i wont put anything tall on the end of the bench. Keep the fridge on the back wall.