Identity
Britain is more YIMBY than NIMBY?
Barclays Property Insights has revealed that NIMBYism is in the minority as support for local housing development is nearly twice as common as opposition, with the strongest backing from Gen Z. Those with concerns around housebuilding are most likely to be persuaded into support by ensuring investment in local infrastructure and public services keeps pace with development, benefitting existing local communities. Consumers also most commonly cite increasing social and affordable housing as the top issue the new government should prioritise in housing policy.
When asked what the Government should prioritise on housing over the next three years, UK adults most often cited building social or affordable housing( 32 per cent), followed by reducing homelessness( 28 per cent) and making it easier for first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder( 25 per cent). For Gen Z, helping first-time buyers is the leading priority, cited by 29 per cent.
Younger adults lead support for local housebuilding
More than two in five UK adults( 43 per cent) support new homes being built within three miles of where they live, nearly twice the proportion who oppose local development( 22 per cent).
Support for housebuilding is strongest among younger adults, with half( 51 per cent) of Gen Z supporting new homes locally, followed by 48 per cent of Millennials, 42 per cent of Gen X and 37 per cent of Baby Boomers. Opposition rises with age, from 16 per cent among Gen Z to 26 per cent among Baby Boomers, although support remains higher than opposition, even among older respondents.
There are also notable regional differences, with Northern Ireland topping the regions most supportive of local housebuilding, while opposition is focused around the South East of England.
Concerns are practical, not purely personal
The findings suggest that opposition to housebuilding often reflects concerns about whether local communities can absorb growth, rather than a blanket rejection of new homes. Among those who oppose local development, loss of green space, countryside or natural habitat is the leading reason for opposition( 61 per cent), followed by pressure on local services such as GPs and schools( 57 per cent), increased traffic and congestion( 55 per cent) and insufficient local infrastructure( 52 per cent). By contrast, only 7 per cent say they oppose development because it could reduce the value of their own home.
Visible local benefits could build favour
The data also points to a clear route for building public support. More than a quarter( 26 per cent) of those who oppose
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