A new Public First Report finds that a majority of Brits are in favour of local development, but their views often go unheard by decision makers. The research explores the real balance of public opinion on development, the profiles of those that instinctively support development (‘YIMBYs’) and those that instinctively oppose development (‘NIMBYs’); and, what both groups think about development and the planning system.

Key findings:

• People are generally in favour of development in their local area – over half (55%) of UK adults say they generally support development in their local area. Young people, Labour supporters and Londoners are the most likely to be YIMBY. The main reason YIMBYs want new homes is to address the mismatch in the supply and demand of housing that has grown over decades. The impact of new development on the local economy and unused land is also seen positively.

• A third (33%) of UK adults say they generally oppose local developments. People living in the South East and East of England and Reform UK supporters are most likely to be NIMBY, though all demographics are more likely to support than oppose local building. The most common reason for opposing new development is the impact on local infrastructure.

• Younger generations are supportive of development regardless of who they support politically. Among 30-39s, those open to voting Conservative are most likely to be YIMBY (75%), marginally ahead of those open to voting Labour (74%) or Reform UK (70%).

• Neither YIMBYs or NIMBYs engage much in the planning process. 29% of YIMBYs say they have commented on a planning application and 38% of NIMBYs, most just once.

• NIMBYs strongly believe planning decisions are not taken on the basis of what normal people think, whereas YIMBYs are evenly split.

What it means:

Our research indicates there is a quiet majority in favour of development, they just aren’t making their views heard. Those that do use their right to have a say are generally highly motivated, well organised and more often than not opposed to development. To ensure their local plans and decisions are made on the basis of what normal local people actually think – on topics like where development should go and how to spend developer contributions – we propose that councils should routinely engage a representative sample of local people (e.g. via representative surveys).