Paris Flyer
Don't forget you must have completed those 14 ATPL exams before you can do your CPL and I/R flight tests and be issued a licence. That will take you about 6 months by which time you be out of flying practice and will need to brush up before testing.
Why not consider doing your PPL in the UK over summer. Get the ATPL Theroy exams out of the way next before going anywhere.
Perhaps after that go to South Africa to Hours build or do you CPL/IR there. Remember of course that when you get back you'll have to convert and that is hours as required for CPL (probably at least 5, more if your not used to UK airspace) and 15 Hours for IR (again the minimum heard stories of people taking 40 hours).
When comparing costs don't forget to include Visa's, Flights and accomodation. A friend of mine has just done the sums on training in the US and declared that the saving would be about £30 and not worth it.
Good Luck what ever you decide.