MatLandy wrote:

Mine is fitted with A/C and is LHD.
Opened the panel at lunch today, and took a picture :

Click image to enlarge

I am sorry to say mine do not look empty, and neither is it full of leaves for what I can see in there.
Instead the space is filled with something plastic-like and whitish .... searching the workshop manual I can only conclude that what I see is the side of the A/C evaporator. Although I'm a bit surprised for it to be that color/material.

But then, those without A/C, should have a "diffuser plate" instead of the A/C evaporator, as explained here :

Click image to enlarge

@Zed : did yours looked the same ? or maybe yours don't have A/C ?

/Mat