How architects can unlock ‘difficult’ sites across the UK
By Louise Scannell2025-12-10T07:00:00
Constrained and underused land can be transformed into a catalyst for sustainable, connected urban growth with some pragmatic, design-led thinking, writes Louise Scannell, a design director at WW+P
To meet the UK’s target of 1.5 million new homes and support national growth ambitions, we must look beyond the obvious. Developable greenfield land is limited and often disconnected from the infrastructure needed to support new communities.
The real opportunity lies in rethinking “difficult” sites – those fragmented by ownership, bounded by rail lines or roads, or currently offering a less contributive use. These sites are common across the UK, often in areas with excellent connectivity and untapped potential.