There was a good turnout for last Friday's meeting on the future of Cygnet House at Long Stratton.

Local health managers were questioned by concerned relatives, patient groups and local councillors about why, despite previous assurances, Cygnet House will mainly become offices by January 2007 rather than continue as a residential, respite and day care centre for the elderly with dementia.

The mood of the meeting was that the Mental Health Trust had decided its course of action and has paid only lip service to local views expressed in last year's consultation.

Yet the land for Cygnet House was given by South Norfolk Council to the NHS. If the NHS can no longer use Cygnet House to offer care, why not give it back to the community?

Perhaps a charitable trust could run it, even selling its services to the beleaguered NHS. Now there's a thought.

AUTOGRASS

IT is good to hear Diss Autograss Club listened to the concerns of Thorpe Abbotts residents and is now looking for an alternative site to hold its race meetings.

Local people were rightly worried about excessive noise and dust on race days, as well as increased traffic.

I raised these concerns with South Norfolk Council, which acted swiftly to ensure the Environment Agency and Norfolk County Council's Highway Department joined them in inspecting the proposed site.

When faced with the possibility of paying for damage to roads or verges, the cost of clearing waste, and local opposition, it looks as though Diss Autograss decided the best solution was to find a site elsewhere. Well done to local campaigners and thank you to Diss Autograss Club for listening.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

I recently discussed planning and affordable housing with rural landowners in the Country Land and Business Association.

Too many young people in rural areas cannot afford to buy a home where they grew up because house prices have risen so much, yet many rural landowners want to help by making land available for affordable housing. If it is done in a sensitive way, the countryside can take a wide range of different developments, including housing, without suffering damage.

But sometimes the system makes it very difficult to get the mix of housing we need.

Instead of huge housing developments from national building firms, we should encourage smaller developments in more places, with more self-building projects. This would breathe more life into our villages, and help local post offices, schools, shops and pubs.