OK so a brief update on this. The error is still showing, although no remedial work has be done this far.
However, I now have some Lemforder lower control arms that arrived a couple of weeks back, from Autodoc. £110 total for left and right arms, and a NS outer CV boot including shipping!! I will get these fitted, then just the steering angle sensor to deal with.
My decision now is do I brave the cold and fit these arms and boot myself, or indulge in the luxury of paying someone to fit? Not sure I fancy it if im honest but I saved a bunch on the price of the parts.
