on the scales of justice a 4000 year old World Heritage site, a site that is unique and rivals Stonehenge any day, must take the balance on its side against short term considerations of a housing scheme. And of course with all the dangers that this housing scheme entails with regard to future developments....

I heartily agree, that IS the nub.

And there's a nub of that nub - there is an agreed Management Scheme in place - agreed by EH, UNESCO and loads of other organisations that voices exactly what you say - yet this development is judged to contravene it!

I know there's a school of thought that the place must grow organically to an extent, reflecting the needs and impacts of each generation of occupiers and visitors but if that view is to triumph then it should so only by everyone agreeing to rip up the present Management Plan and agree a new one - it shouldn't involve simply ignoring the present one because people have a vague idea "it will look better that way". Those new houses will still be there in a hundred years. Bet the garage wouldn't have been.