Rooms For Debate: Polling on the Housing Crisis, Green Belt and Planning System

The Adam Smith Institute commissioned JL Partners to undertake a poll of the general public and of mortgage holders in England, in order to gather views about the housing crisis, development, and the green belt.

The polling showed that there is an overwhelming belief that there is a housing crisis - both nationally and in local areas. Both groups are concerned about a lack of affordable housing, that young people will be unable to get onto the property ladder, the impact on homelessness, high house prices, and the impact of interest rate increases on mortgages

The findings demonstrated support for building more homes in local areas, if it would increase the availability of affordable housing and if it is designed to fit in with the surroundings. In principle, development on green belt land is met with opposition. However, support can be garnered if local residents directly feel the benefits. 

KEY FINDINGS:

People believe there is a housing crisis

• Over three quarters (77%) believe there is a national housing crisis

• More than half (53%) believe there is a housing crisis in their local area

• The housing crisis is not just confined to London - all regions in England bar one agree that there is a crisis in their local area.

People prefer to expand existing communities over building new communities

• 59% of the general public believe new housing developments should be focused on expanding existing communities 

• Young people in particular are supportive of expanding existing communities over building communities (69% of 18-24 year olds and 66% of 25-34 year olds). This suggests that they have a desire to remain and live in their local communities

The arguments that work best to persuade people of the need for more housing are:

• Young people are currently unable to get onto the housing ladder

• It would counter rising homelessness

• It would counter dramatic house price increases (and for mortgage holders, the threat of rising interest rates)

• It would make local housing more affordable

Navigating the green belt

• More than half (53%) support more housing being built locally. However, this support drops to 25% if the houses were to be built on green belt land

• Our word clouds show that there is a strong feeling that green belt land is a protected green space that needs to be preserved for the benefit of both residents and wildlife

• However, there is net support for development on green belt land if a proportion of profits is given back to local residents

Polling methodology:

The Adam Smith Institute commissioned JL Partners to poll two audiences: a nationally representative sample of the general public in England and a representative sample of mortgage holders in England:

• The fieldwork dates were 4th-11th August.

• Quotas were added to ensure representative data for each sample - to gender, age, region and 2019 general election vote.

• Each sample was weighted back to its own representative population using ONS data.

• The sample was collected using online polling.

• 10 minute duration.

• Margin of error: 3.1% for both mortgage holders and the general public.