Housing is a big issue. It is going to get bigger. Our communities will be presented with some tough choices over the next few years. Slower pace of house building in recent years combined with demographic demands for more housing means there is a growing shortage.

Those seeking to start out on the housing ladder here in Shropshire face particular problems with house prices now out of their reach.

Most people, me included, accept the need for more Affordable Housing. I have argued for all communities to be able to use infill sites for local people.

Larger scale developments cause bigger worries.

The Government is making this worse with new planning guidelines, inappropriate for rural areas, which are already having a major impact on planning decisions. The minimum density of housing developments has been increased dramatically.

In Cleobury Mortimer recently this justified a 45% increase in the number of housing units in a high profile scheme, much of which will be three storeys high. In my own village one bungalow and its garden are being encouraged by Prescott's new planning rules to become 6 houses. Expect more of this to come.

Large schemes can be used to provide other community gain. At my advice surgeries around the constituency this month there are calls for leisure facilities in Broseley and Church Stretton. Funding could come from development gain on housing.

Communities will need to decide what facilities they want and what development they are prepared to accept to achieve it. Not easy choices, nor for me to make, but I am keen to help.