I HAD a very interesting discussion last Friday morning in Tisbury, giving UNESCO my thoughts on the future of Stonehenge.

It was pleasing to see a wide range of stakeholders among those invited to give evidence – including those who are sceptical about the tunnel proposal.

It is vital people with different perspectives give their input and I am pleased the government is giving full and proper scrutiny to the options. But I amclear the one thing we cannot do is repeat past mistakes and miss this hard won opportunity to act.

This week, the Housing and Planning Bill had its second reading. The bill aims to address the fact that, for decades, there have not been enough homes to meet the needs of our growing and ageing population.

A series of measures have already been put in place to get Britain building again and use empty homes. Since 2010, over 260,000 new affordable homes have been delivered. The Government has also announced £38 billion of investment will be made available over the next five years to deliver 275,000 more – the fastest rate of delivery for 20 years.

There is a tension between the demand for more housing and the need to deliver it sensitively. Every week my postbag brings several desperate pleas from people needing housing and most weeks at least one with legitimate concerns about over-development.

The welcome moves the government is making to facilitate building, need to come with realistic safeguards for rural areas and sites deserving special protection.

On Friday, my schedule includes a school visit and meeting Wiltshire’s Chief Constable. On Saturday, I will be joining Diwali celebrations in Coombe Bissett and, on Sunday, taking part in Salisbury’s Act of Remembrance.