"John" wrote in message
...

Why do builders assume that people
want the central heating boiler in the
kitchen?

Because they have no brains. The Scandinavians are shocked that we do the
washing in the kitchen. They say "do you also take the dishes up to the
bathroom to wash them their too". They have the washing machines upstairs

I would welcome the idea of an ugly but reliable boiler that could be
fitted
in a cupboard (like a big meter cupboard) on the outside of the house.
Less
hassle when replacement is needed as changes to pipework wouldn't disturb
the appearance of the room.

You can always build a small highly insulated brick cupboard at the rear of
the house. Pretty common in London.