I suggest changing some rooms around, the kitchen I think would still have garden access? depends on how it's shared. As with removing any walls you need to check with a builder/engineers

Thanks guys. i do realise that i have to start a conversation at some point with thr neighbour and ofcourse get an engineer to check it all out. However i already know that i am able to extend the house. My wish list is a double garage, open plan, and ideally kitchen leading out into the rear garden and a main ensuite. Hence my inclination towards extending out to the front.

Do you have right to all of the front and rear garden?

Yes i do. Its part of my title. The blank square to the top left of the floor plan is thr ither units back yard.

That's much clearer so front yard and long narrow garden on the right hand side. Where is the parking for the other unit?

my suggestions include a loft master suite inside the raised roof space, double garage, expanded kitchen opening out to a deck with beams (shown as dotted lines) replacing the wall between the old kitchen, hallway and bedrooms) and new bathroom inserted into the old living room space

This is really a job for a professional, as there are so many implications for town planning, fire and acoustic separation between dwellings (covered under the building regulations), legal (are you on seperate titles, or is it strata titled), front setbacks, and structural implications. I haven't seen too many houses that have been subdivided into two units that are on two seperate titles in recent times as the complexities are so challenging with the current planning and building regulations.

Your project will need a lot of research and careful management of the bureaucracies, depending on where you live. Your best bet would be to start with a local professional who is familiar with the local planning laws and council requirements. You will find it a lot easier to limit your new work to the existing building envelope.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro