One of those situations..
Really enjoyed reading this thread. It's refreshing to hear a balanced opinion on the genuine pros and cons of each option. Most posts concentrate on the "I did it this way and that's the right way" mentality so I think it is important to read both arguments.
I am now 20hrs in on my ppl planning my first solo nav for next week. I am at SFC and very happy, but I'm sure if I'd gone to biggin or clacton I'd be progressing just the same albeit with a higher fuel bill to get there.
If cost weren't an issue of course I'd go integrated and probably at ctc as I hope to end up in the airlines but the truth is for the vast majority of people on here it is an issue, so I'll be working and paying for my modular, maybe with a trip to the US for hours building (incidentally any suggestions appreciated on this front - I'm looking at sunstate and sunquest aviation) while hoping BA do reopen FPP and look favourably upon someone who has already committed time and money to training.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.