Support for local housebuilding is almost twice as high as opposition, new research suggests. However, concerns remain over infrastructure, public services and the loss of green space.
Barclays Property Insights found that 43% of UK adults support new homes within three miles of where they live. This compares with 22% who oppose development.
Support is strongest among younger adults. Some 51% of Gen Z respondents back local housebuilding, compared with 48% of Millennials. Support falls to 42% among Gen X and 37% among Baby Boomers.
Opposition increases with age, rising from 16% among Gen Z to 26% among Baby Boomers. However, supporters still outnumber opponents across every age group.
There is also a considerable regional divide.
Northern Ireland records the strongest support for development at 53%. Wales follows at 52%, with Yorkshire and Humberside at 49%.
London and Scotland both record 48% support.
Attitudes are more finely balanced in southern England. In the South East, 36% support development and 35% oppose it. The East of England records 36% support against 30% opposition.
The South West has the lowest level of support at 35%. This still exceeds the 27% who oppose development.
Infrastructure concerns drive opposition
The findings suggest concerns about the impact on local areas drive much of the opposition. Protecting property values appears to play a much smaller role.
Among those opposed to local housebuilding, 61% cite the potential loss of green space, countryside or natural habitat.
Pressure on GPs, schools and other services concerns 57%. Increased traffic and congestion worries 55%, while 52% point to insufficient infrastructure.
By comparison, just 7% cite the potential impact on their own property’s value.
Additional infrastructure could persuade some opponents to reconsider.
More than a quarter (26%) say extra GP and healthcare capacity would increase their support. Some 18% cite investment in roads and infrastructure. Another 15% point to additional green space and community facilities.
Affordable housing tops policy priorities
Building more social and affordable housing tops the public’s housing priorities for the next three years. Almost a third (32%) of respondents selected it.
Reducing homelessness follows at 28%. Another 25% prioritise helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder.
Among Gen Z, first-time buyer support tops the list at 29%.
Houses continue to dominate purchases
Separate Barclays mortgage completion data for July shows that houses account for most purchases.
Among first-time buyers, houses represented 81.7% of completions. Flats and maisonettes accounted for 18.3%.
For existing homeowners buying another property, houses accounted for 88.6% of purchases. Flats represented 11.4%.
Previous Barclays research found that 33% of recent Gen Z buyers had bought what they considered a “forever home”. They did so to avoid moving again.
Across all age groups, 27% expected to remain in their new home for at least a decade.
Homebuying process remains a barrier
Increasing housing supply alone may not be enough to boost market activity. The research also highlights uncertainty about the homebuying process.
Six in 10 adults (60%) felt confident about understanding and navigating a home purchase. More than a quarter (28%) did not.
Among those lacking confidence, 37% cited conveyancing and the legal process. The same proportion expressed uncertainty about taxes and fees. Almost a third (32%) identified paperwork and documentation.
Younger consumers face different challenges.
Some 39% of Gen Z respondents lacked confidence about saving for a deposit. Another 36% cited uncertainty about how much they could afford to borrow.
Barclays has previously estimated that 85% of owner-occupied properties in England and Wales contain at least one spare bedroom. Greater downsizing could therefore release more existing housing stock.
However, transaction costs and a lack of suitable properties remain barriers to older homeowners moving.
Jatin Patel, head of mortgages, savings and insurance at Barclays, said: “New homes are critical to easing tension in the housing supply, but attitudes towards development are nuanced. While UK consumers are broadly supportive of efforts to increasing housing supply, this has to be in step with investment in local infrastructure, healthcare and transport links.
“Homeowners also need confidence that they can navigate the process of buying, selling and financing a move. Supporting mobility throughout the market, from first time buyers getting onto the ladder to homeowners right-sizing into properties that better suit their needs, will be key to helping more people achieve their housing ambitions.”
Adrian MacDiarmid, head of mortgage lender Relations at Barratt Redrow, commented: “It’s really encouraging to see strong support for building more homes, particularly among younger people who face the greatest barriers to home ownership. With Gen Z the most supportive of local housebuilding, the findings 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 housebuilders have such an important role to play, delivering not only the homes communities need, including affordable housing, but also funding and investing in local facilities that help communities thrive. Housebuilding is one of the UK’s most important economic drivers, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and generating investment in communities. With the right partnerships and local leadership, we can deliver growth that creates lasting social and economic value.”
