Is it really necessary to put the car on axle stands, remove the right front wheel and wheel arch inner, to swap the Auxiliary Drive Belt, as advised by Mr Haynes Manual? I've had a look, and with the engine cover removed it looks a bit tight but relatively easy. Is there a hidden trap waiting for me to stumble upon it?

On the 1.9 TDI it is easiest to do this from underneath so that you can get a spanner on the tensioner to release the belt.

If you can do it from the top on a 1.8 give it a go, but the routing the belt correctly will probably be difficult if you can't get two hands to it.