The MIMBY Majority: How to unlock housebuilding with early and representative public participation in planning

Watch the launch event for this report here.

The Government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029, with efforts to speed up planning including taking on the so-called ‘NIMBYs’ – those who say ‘Not in My Backyard’ to new developments. However, new Demos polling reveals a ‘MIMBY’ majority in the UK:

• 67% of the public are ‘MIMBYs’ – Maybe In My Backyard – open to new homes in their area under the right circumstances 
• In contrast, only 23% are almost completely opposed to local development (Not in My Backyard or ‘NIMBYs’)
• 10% are consistently in favour (Yes in My Backyard or ‘YIMBYs’)

Despite this MIMBY majority, over half (52%) of the public are unaware of how to input into planning decisions. Instead it is often the NIMBY minority whose voices dominate planning consultations. This report finds that while only 6% of the public objected to a planning application in the last year, even fewer (3%) voiced support. We also expose a growing NIMBY sentiment – which may have risen by as much as a third since late 2024 – suggesting the government’s anti-NIMBY rhetoric may be backfiring.

This report, supported by the Royal Town Planning Institute, argues for a shift in government strategy towards involving the unheard ‘MIMBY majority’. This means taking a new approach to public participation in planning decisions, ensuring public involvement is early to help anticipate issues earlier and give residents a meaningful opportunity to contribute, and includes a representative group of residents to hear a more balanced set of views and amplify underrepresented voices. We set out a number of recommendations, and a Public Participation Model, designed to boost public participation in the planning system – specifically for  Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs). This will power up, rather than slow down, the housebuilding programme.