Nimbyism holds countryside back, say rural constituents

RURAL voters believe that nimbyism is holding the countryside back, with less than a fifth backing housing objectors, according to a poll.

Over half of those living in England’s 100 most rural constituencies say they would support additional homes being built in their area, a survey for the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has found. It comes amid warnings to the Government to stop treating the countryside “as a museum” and to allow more houses to be put up. More than 45 per cent of rural voters believe that Nimbys had a negative impact on the countryside, with just 19 per cent considering them to be a positive force.

Victoria Vyvyan, the president of the CLA, which represents nearly 27,000 farmers, landowners and rural businesses, said: “Villages cannot be dormitories for wealthy commuters, nor can they be the preserve of the elderly.

“A small number of homes must be built in a large number of villages to provide housing for young people and families, to provide workers for local businesses and keep shops, schools and other facilities open.”

Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, has announced policies during his tenure aimed at getting more homes built across the country. Government plans to construct more housing has put an emphasis on urban areas, with Rishi Sunak promising there would be no “concrete over the countryside”.

Ms Vyvyan said: “Nobody wants to concrete over the countryside... but for decades governments of all colours have treated it as a museum, risking the sustainability of communities and failing to generate the conditions necessary for growth.”