The case size limitation might be an issue if you're going with magnetic as I think most modern magnetic slimline ballast need the width of a two lamp channel.
If you're ok with electronic, you could try getting a
Fullham Workhorse ballast. WH 3, 4, 5, and 6 should support running a single F48T12 slimline and should be slim enough to fit into a single lamp width channel.