Hi Andrew,
No problem of getting the ATPL in that way. During the PPL training you'll understand a lot of what are the requirements to ATPL and what is it all about. That helps.
Some say, that the price is higher. But if money is the issue, then you still can find a low-price school overseas and get the JAA ATPL for relatively small money (from 30.000Eur+, which I believe, not higher, than if to do an integrated course)