Solidspace input to the Character Study for the London Borough of Merton focused on the question of ‘What future growth should look like?’, and how the small sites development opportunities in the borough can be bought forward in a way that compliments and evolves the borough’s character. With our understanding of small sites constraints and opportunities, we supported Allies & Morrison Urban Practitioners who were the lead consultant on the study, in building a picture of what Merton is today, drawing on the different identities across the borough and how these local qualities can inform approaches to growth and change. We took a sample of small site types that are commonly found across the borough’s character areas and developed capacity studies for them, outlining the constraints and opportunities of each site type, and provided recommendations for their unlocking and delivery. The study The study will assist the Council, community groups,…