Hi, I'm going to guess that as you say UK in your profile your looking for a UK answer.
A procedural service is the ATsocas service you are operating on, normally if your flying a procedure you would be on a procedural service but not necessarily, you can fly a procedure on a basic service.
The reason you weren't given the arc was probably that the controller didn't think he could give you decent early enough to facilitate a stable approach I.e having to keep you a 4A until Loc established. By giving you the overhead he has built in an extra couple of minutes/miles to allow earlier decent. I would advise speaking to the tower either by phone or pop over for a visit as they will give you a local answer.
As to what to expect it really depends on too many factors to give u an easy rule. I will always try to give expected app on first contact but speak to your local unit and they will be happy to help.