More adults support local housebuilding than oppose it – Barclays
Building social or affordable housing was named the top housing policy priority by UK adults at 32%, followed by reducing homelessness at 28%.
More adults support new homes being built near them than oppose it, according to Barclays Property Insights data.
43% backed new development within three miles of where they live, compared to 22% who were against it.
Support was strongest among Gen Z at 51%, dropping to 37% among Baby Boomers, but opposition stayed lower than support across all age groups.
Building social or affordable housing was named the top housing policy priority by adults at 32%, followed by reducing homelessness at 28% and helping first-time buyers (FTBs) at 25%.
Gen Z viewed support for first-time buyers as most important.
Northern Ireland had the highest support for local housebuilding at 53%, while the South East saw the most opposition at 35%.
The main reasons for opposition were loss of green space (61%), pressure on local services (57%), more traffic (55%) and lack of infrastructure (52%).
Only 7% said they opposed new homes due to concerns about their own property value.
Among those who opposed local development, 26% said extra GP and healthcare capacity would make them more likely to support it, with investment in roads and infrastructure at 18% and more green spaces and facilities at 15%.
Its mortgage data showed most property purchases were for houses, with 81.7% of first-time buyers choosing houses and 18.3% opting for flats.
Previous research found 33% of Gen Z buyers bought a ‘forever home’ to avoid moving again, while 27% of all buyers planned to stay in their new home for at least 10 years.
Barriers to moving included high transaction costs and a lack of suitable homes. 60% of adults felt confident in the home buying process, while 28% did not.
The biggest areas of uncertainty were conveyancing and legal processes (37%), understanding taxes and fees (37%), and managing paperwork (32%).
Gen Z adults said saving for a deposit (39%) and working out what they could afford to borrow (36%) were their main concerns.
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.”
Patel added: “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, said: “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.”
MacDiarmid added: “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.”
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