Support for building homes locally is almost twice as high as opposition, although concerns over infrastructure, public services and the loss of green space remain significant, new research suggests.
Barclays Property Insights found that 43% of UK adults support new homes being built within three miles of where they live, compared with 22% who oppose development.
Support is strongest among younger adults. Some 51% of Gen Z respondents back housebuilding locally, compared with 48% of Millennials, 42% of Gen X and 37% of Baby Boomers.
Opposition increases with age, rising from 16% among Gen Z to 26% among Baby Boomers, although supporters continue to outnumber opponents across every age group.
There is a considerable regional divide.
Northern Ireland records the strongest support for development at 53%, followed by Wales at 52% and 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, while the East of England records 36% support against 30% opposition.
The South West has the lowest level of support, at 35%, although this remains ahead of the 27% opposed.
Infrastructure concerns drive opposition
The findings suggest resistance to development is driven primarily by concerns about its impact on local areas rather than homeowners seeking to protect property values.
Among people opposed to housebuilding locally, 61% cite the potential loss of green space, countryside or natural habitat.
Pressure on GPs, schools and other local services is identified by 57%, while 55% are concerned about increased traffic and congestion and 52% point to insufficient infrastructure.
By comparison, just 7% say concern about the value of their own property is a reason for opposing development.
Additional infrastructure could also persuade some opponents to reconsider.
More than a quarter (26%) say additional GP and healthcare capacity would make them more likely to support development. Investment in roads and infrastructure is cited by 18%, while 15% point to additional green space and community facilities.
Affordable housing tops policy priorities
Building more social and affordable housing is the most commonly identified housing priority for the government over the next three years, selected by 32% of respondents.
Reducing homelessness follows at 28%, with 25% prioritising measures to make it easier for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder.
Among Gen Z, first-time buyer support moves to the top of the list, cited by 29%.
Houses continue to dominate purchases
Separate Barclays mortgage completion data for July shows houses account for the large majority of purchases.
Among first-time buyers, 81.7% of completions were houses and 18.3% were flats or maisonettes.
For existing homeowners purchasing another property, the split was 88.6% houses and 11.4% flats.
Previous Barclays research also found that 33% of recent Gen Z buyers said they had bought what they regarded as a “forever home” to avoid having to move again. Across buyers of all ages, 27% expected to remain in their new property for at least a decade.
Homebuying process remains a barrier
Increasing housing supply alone may not be enough to increase movement in the market, with the research also highlighting uncertainty about the homebuying process.
Six in 10 adults (60%) said they were confident in their understanding of and ability to navigate buying a home, while 28% were not.
Among those lacking confidence, conveyancing and the legal process was cited by 37%, with the same proportion uncertain about taxes and fees. Almost a third (32%) identified paperwork and documentation.
The challenges differ for younger consumers. Some 39% of Gen Z respondents identified saving for a deposit as an area in which they lacked confidence, while 36% pointed to understanding 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, raising the prospect of greater downsizing helping to release existing housing stock. However, transaction costs and the availability 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.”
