More than two in five (43%) of UK adults support building new homes within three miles of where they live. This is almost double those (22%) who oppose local development.
What’s more is that building social or affordable housing is a top priority for a third of UK adults, followed by reducing homelessness and helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder.
According to Barclays, support for local housing projects is highest among Gen Z adults, with 51% supporting building new homes locally, while only 16% oppose it.
It suggests that the “NIMBYism” expressed in the past may be waning. The term NIMBY is an abbreviation for “Not In My Back Yard.” These are local residents who often agree to building works in principle, but do not want them built near their property and therefore oppose planning applications for development.
However, a recent Barclays Property Insights report suggests that those with these concerns about developments near them are more likely to be persuaded to support housebuilding projects.
Provided that there is investment in local infrastructure and public services to support the growth in communities that the development may create.
In fact, more than a quarter of those who opposed local development said that additional capacity for GP and healthcare would make them more likely to provide support. This is followed by investment in roads and infrastructure and increased green spaces and community facilities.
Jatin Patel, head of mortgage, savings and insurance at Barclays, said: “New homes are crucial to easing tensions in housing supply, but attitudes to development are slightly different.
“While UK consumers broadly support efforts to increase housing supply, this must be matched by investment in local infrastructure, healthcare and transport links.”
Adrian McDiarmid, head of mortgage lender relations at Barratt Redrow, said: “It is really encouraging to see strong support for building more homes, particularly among young people who face the greatest barriers to home ownership.
“With Generation Z being the most supportive of local homebuilding, the results highlight the importance of increasing housing supply for future generations.
“The research also confirms that people want development to be accompanied by investment in infrastructure and public services.
“That’s why homebuilders play an important role, not only providing the homes communities need, including affordable housing, but also financing and investing in local amenities that help communities thrive.”
