Can someone explain to me the importance of the aspect of a house?

[SuperSesame]

We have been looking at sites to build a house on and we've found a great site which already has planning permission.
After receiving the plans yesterday, I was a little disappointed to see that the house faces north west. By facing, I mean the front of the house with the front door, entrance hall and living room.
The back of the house is facing south east. The back has the kitchen and utility. The fact that the back garden would have sun appeals, but I'm concerned that the front, which has the biggest windows, would be dark and it would cost more to heat. The back of the house also has a nicer view than the front.
My question, I suppose is, how much of a difference does it make if the front is south or north facing?
Turning the house around isn't an option as the house needs to face the road which is to the north.
If its a deal breaker then we'll keep searching!

Would it be possible to slightly change the plans.

For example swap some of the rooms around internally so that the living room faces the sunnier back of the house with the better views? The utility room could be facing the front as you don't need the light and views for that.

I would try to get the plans changed. I would put kitchen and utility room at the front.

Then what you have is an entrance hall, with adjoining utility room, great for storage, kids bikes helmets, outdoor clouthing, laundry facilities with washing machine and tumble drier, freezer, etc.
This can easily be at the front.

The kitchen could be on the other side, open plan to dining area, L shape into living room. So, for example:

Left hand side utility room. Right hand side kitchen, followed by dining with living room. Walking straight in from hallway you hit the living room, and can turn right into dining area. Does that make sense?

I think it is generally considered desirable to have the back of the house getting the sun, isn't it? If that's where the garden is.

Agree with QS that reconfiguring the layout so that you living areas are at the back makes sense. We have a layout like that and big patio doors and it's lovely

Yes, that makes sense. I'm going to draw that out to see how it works in the outline of the house. Thanks for the suggestions!
Its sounds uncoventional having a utility just inside the front door, but why not I guess.
Love the idea of kitchen then on other side with opening to dining then living area.
The only stumbling block I can think of is the window sizes as they would need new permission to change the size of and the small windows in the back wouldn't be great for the living areas. I would probably like this be be patio doors.

I think it depends when you will be using the rooms. If it's a big kitchen where you'll spend most of your time during the day then I think it's good. Then you'll get the sun in the evening in your livingroom, which may be when you're most likely to be there anyway. I would be most particular about having the sun in the garden - it's down to you i'd say!

Believe me when I tell you that a utility at the front in close vicinity of the front door is fantastic.

You also get the sounds of washing machines far away from your living space and kitchen. You can hang laundry on rotary airers infront of the tumble drier.

Your kitchen window can still be big, and overlooking your front garden, and you can see the road, and who is coming to your door, etc. And keep an eye on the kids if they are out front.

you could call teh utility a "boot room" and feel all posh

That sounds like a pretty good aspect to me (ie garden and kitchen facing south)

How big is the kitchen? if it's big then you will presumably spend most of the day there anyway. living room can be an "evening" room when the light matters less.

Moving utility room to north facing part of the house (or a place with no windows, eg under the stairs) is a good suggestion if it's possible. Can you link to/post the current plans?

Yes it does sound like you would really want large windows or french doors at the back of the house, if that is where the sun and view and garden are (in fact I'm surprised anyone would plan for small windows!). You could call up the council and find out "informally" whether making that change is likely to be an issue?