The only way it might succeed is if there was a benevolent heritage dictatorship (the national distrust?)!!! I'm not sure I would want that

Maybe not, but the issue boils down to this - someone has to decide.
In this case I think the wrong people have.

How would it be if Salisbury District Council and Amesbury Parish Council got it into their heads that Stonehenge would look "better" with five new houses built 200 metres from it?

Would that be a case of local democracy being preferable to dictatorship, benevolent or otherwise? Or would you think they should be told not to be so silly?
;)