Nimbys 'must be stopped'

Homeowners who object to housing developments being built nearby must be overcome if the UK is to increase its supply of affordable housing, it has been suggested.

Exeter MP and minister for the south-west Ben Bradshaw has said that a major programme of development should be implemented in the region in order to help solve the problem, according to local media reports.

Mr Bradshaw also criticised the common phenomenon of parties criticising housing shortfalls in the national arena but then rejecting housing plans at a local level.

"Our biggest challenge is housing. While existing homeowners saw property values soar many, particularly young people, were struggling to get on the housing ladder," Mr Bradshaw commented, according to the Gloucestershire Citizen.

"Because of the shortage and cost of housing we have got to face down the Nimbys.

"It's very well for political parties nationally to say they support more housing but at local level their councillors vote against housing schemes. That's not acceptable and cannot be allowed to continue."

The call follows those of several senior governmental figures who have attempted to bring the issue to the top of the agenda in recent weeks.



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