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I assumed that both large and small had been dropped from the top of the structure and have stuck both at ground level next to each other as they both land together (see title).

I haven't constructed my grid yet but I'll be putting the L and S at the same height, on the right of the 'grid' about halfway vertically.

On more mundane matters... I am still stuck on 12 Down. Any hints will be much appreciated !

A five-letter (obscure, I think) word for "solid" and then a three-letter word for "ability" to make an 8-letter Scottish word for a type of fruit.

Finally got the word. Many thanks, orson !! Was thinking all along that BEARS was a "containment" indicator . . .

I think Heisenberg has the right idea. I don't think the gaps left by the removed letters are relevant at all. The whole point of the experiment is that the two objects are dropped from the same height at the same time. Any solver submitting a solution about which they are unsure should add an accompanying note justifying their particular solution.

Meanwhile, in Slowsville, Norfolk, I have 3 answers. This is par for the course for this time on a Sunday but I am being put off by suggestions about going to the pub. Please refrain from such distraction in future! I normally have a look here to see if I should bother and then a laugh about comments like 'easy grid' before I plough on (or not). I think I will brave it..... No doubt I'll be back.

I think Dryden's comments are appropriate: what I found so irritating was that the two cells that were cut out could have been handled differently - for example both being taken from the top row on the building and, say, using the two Os at the end in some way as different size canonballs.

I'm exasperated for the same reasons as those who have complained of the ambiguities, not to mention the pointlessness of the highlighting.

What no-one has pointed out is how poor some of the clues are. I like clues which show that the setter has made an effort to achieve a plausible surface reading. But what does 14 convey? And why choose 'grimoire' from the dozens of possible alternatives? Again, 20's 'Savoyard' is a frankly bizarre choice.

And what on earth (I restrain myself with difficulty from using internet acronyms) is supposed to be meant by the last three words of 1ac?

To be honest, I felt many surface readings were not great, but in each of those three examples Flying Tortoise has made the effort - Mel (Smith) to go with Griff (Rhys Jones) - grimoire, a magician's book to go with casting (spells) - Savoyard, relating to Savoy theatre with chair rows - you may feel they were contrived and didn't work too well, but definitely the effort was made.