Giving that my doctor is actually recommending that I take a bit more theraputical "me" time, I allocated a half day in the garage and a very productive time it was too.
I have managed to get the clutch cable fitted and adjusted so that it appears to work faultlessly. There were only a couple of minor clearance issues so no big shakes there.
The firewall and scuttle assembly has been refitted and the new dash blank has been trial fitted under the scuttle. Initially it appears that my solution does seem a little better and will look a lot neater.
I have confirmed that:
a. the clock pod cannot fit over the top of the steering column.
b. it is impossible to reach the dash whilst strapped in the harnesses.
c. the throttle pedal is indeed a little too close to the brake pedal

Next job will be to cut down the lip of the scuttle, affix some edge trim (which I still need to order) and start fitting the dash blank in properly.
The passenger side of the dash should be affixed with long stand-offs bolted through the firewall.
Once the physical construction of the dash has been completed, the whole assembly can be removed and fitted with all the electronics before replacing the whole kit back into the car. I may even be able to make the dash at work. Once the assembly is complete, the whole thing would be taken apart again for the ally former to be radiused correctly and a CF layer to be attached.

I have an unused fusebox that will be capable of being a 12V busbar for the ancilliary circuits that require power. This will be attached to the rear of the dash although access to the fuses should be considered. I could always use those magic fuses that act like mini breakers and just need to be reset
- have to find out what they are really called as well :-)