The government鈥檚 housing plans have been put under further scrutiny as two pieces of research show falling public support.
A report by Saint Consulting revealed that 68% of the British public does not believe the government can deliver 3 million new homes by 2020.
At the same time the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has produced research showing that 53% of people are opposing the targets. As a result, it has launched a campaign to call for a government rethink.
Nick Keable, the UK manager of Saint Consulting, said: 鈥淲e are seeing Nimbyism increasing and community activism against development spiralling upwards. It bodes badly for the government鈥檚 policy of increasing residential development.鈥�
Saint Consulting revealed that the most sceptical group were the 55 to 64 year olds, but people were just as sceptical whether they lived in urban, rural or suburban areas.鈥�
This debate requires balance, which this survey does not provide
Ian Fletcher, BPF
The CPRE鈥檚 research found half the respondents thought developers and landowners, not cash-strapped homebuyers, stood to gain from the plans. More than a quarter said the government should prioritise bringing empty properties back in to use.
Developers reacted angrily to the campaign. Ian Fletcher of the British Property Federation said: 鈥淭his debate requires balance and quality evidence, which this survey contributes nothing to.鈥�
Stewart Baseley, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a shame the CPRE has not considered the wider picture in its latest plea to protect the haves against the have-nots.鈥�
Postscript
No comments yet