Kitchen wall build method advice please

[Superspudking]

Hi
My flat flat has a open plan kitchen/living room. The kitchen is a "L" shape at one end of a rectangular room. There is a partition wall about 700mm wide between the end of the kitchen and lounge. I have tried to upload a picture to help explain.
If I measure the partition wall on the kitchen side of the wall it's about 47mm shorter than if I measure it on the lounge side.
On my plans which I got when I bought the flat (2006). It shows that the 2 walls of the kitchen have a small void behind them.
When I remove the kitchen plinth and look at the wall behind I can see vertical baton about 47mm thick. The plaster board is screwed to this.

So it seems to me that the kitchen has been spaced off from the main wall.

I'm in the process of redesigning the kitchen and wish to remove the partition wall. But obviously will end up with a step up.

So was wondering if anyone has any advice?
For what reason are the walls spaced off?
If I remove the partition wall and strip back the kitchen wall to create one long smooth wall. Is this ok?
I just don't want to strip it back to find out there's a good reason for the walls to be like this.
There are no waste or water pipes within the void but probably cables.

Untitled

• Superspudking
• 29 May 2014
• 1

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Untitled

• Superspudking
• 29 May 2014
• 1

 

[Superspudking]

The picture picture doesn't show the void behind the 2 walls. It is just to show the room layout. My aim isto have the left wall as one straight wall without the partition

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The picture doesn't show anything of any value - it's far too small - no bigger than the thumbnail.

Here's what it looks like when clicked on:

 

[richardrich79]

What's on the other side of the kitchen wall?

 

[Superspudking]

Another flat

Sorry about the poor picture, just ignore it