Mick. wrote:

The space from the worktop to the bottom of the wall units is 12 1/2" and
the microwave is 14" high.
I had no say in the planning except choosing the colour as it is a Housing
Ass flat.

I think 12.5" is completely unacceptable. Does the kitchen have low
ceilings and are the tops of the units flush with them? At a guess, the
Housing Association will have given the contract to Trotters Independent
Traders International Ltd who had a job lot of extra-tall units to shift,
complete with louvre doors, I shouldn't wonder. I'd complain.

If there is spare room between tops of units and ceiling, could you not
(this is DIY after all) move them higher yourself?

Or just take a few of the units down and throw them away. That'll give
you at least some worktop area with clear working height all the way to
the ceiling.

Another possible course of action might be to put the microwave actually
*into* one of the wall units. You'd need to make a base (sheet of ply,
chipboard, etc) to stand it on because the oven will be much deeper than
the units, and you'll need to keep the doors open permanently, or take them
off. Use the rest of the unit as open shelving, e.g. for cookery books.
Make sure the units will take the weight - perhaps make up a pair of props.