Homeowners less likely to be ‘nimbys’ if a planned development is good for the environment

PEOPLE are less likely to be Nimbys if a development near their home is 'green', according to research.

Residents are far more receptive to energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy projects and electric vehicle charging stations than they are of legacy projects.

A study of 2,000 adults revealed the number of Nimbys - residents who say ‘not in my back yard’ to local expansion plans - dwindles if the changes will help the environment.

For all developments, Londoners are most welcoming, with 49 per cent identifying as ‘Yimbys’ – 'yes in my back yard' - welcoming local upgrades.

Other regions keen on more developments generally are Scotland (43 per cent), the northeast (41 per cent), and Yorkshire and the Humber (36 per cent).

The research was commissioned by Ripple Energy which has launched a new initiative called Generation , calling on people to say yes to renewable energy projects being developed and support more clean power being added to the national grid.

There is a rising wave of support for the development of renewable energy projects, with 66 per cent welcoming those in their area that are beneficial for the environment, such as wind and solar projects, over other, non-green, developments.

Levels of support for wind and solar projects rises even further when residents are given the option of part-owning and directly benefitting from the project, through savings off their energy bills.

Support was highest in the younger generations, with 88 per cent of 18-24 year olds being more in favour of renewable energy projects if they could own a part of it.

Designated wildlife habitats (58 per cent), urban green spaces (53 per cent) and the building or retro-fitting of energy efficient buildings (34 per cent) are other green developments that people would welcome.

With renewable energy infrastructure also ranking in the top five developments local residents would welcome in their neighbourhood.

However, people in the east of England are the least likely to have a more positive attitude towards green developments now, than they were five years ago.

And the least desirable local developments are industrial business parks, the building of hotels or resorts, and mixed-use projects that combine residential, commercial and other spaces in one.

Top concerns expressed by Nimbys in the study carried out via OnePoll focus on a loss of green space, increased traffic through their area and strains on local infrastructure.

Baby Boomers are a demographic seeing a strong change and driving new support for green initiatives, with 59 per cent claiming environmental issues are much higher up their agenda now.

While only four per cent of the public would be willing to partake in extreme protest action to bring greener energy to the UK public, 10 times that number (43 per cent) would be willing to invest in their own green energy source, for the same goal.

Sarah Merrick, founder and CEO of Ripple Energy said: “Public opinion has shifted towards the proud support of more renewable energy projects, and people are more receptive to green developments today than they were even five years ago.

“The British public is even more supportive of renewable projects when given the option of part-owning and directly benefiting from the cheap, green energy generated.

“But we know people often feel their voices are lost in the noise of resistance to renewable energy projects, so we’ve launched the Generation YES initiative to give the British people a chance to make their voices heard and show local and national governments that now is the time for action.

“Those in favour of progress towards a zero-carbon future have the opportunity to part-own renewable energy projects and directly benefit through stabilised electricity bills over the long-term.

“If you believe in an energy system based on people-owned renewable energy, please voice your support and join Generation YES.”

TOP 5 DEVELOPMENTS PEOPLE WOULD WELCOME NEAR THEM

1.            Parks and recreational facilities for residents - like playgrounds and sports fields.

2.            Public infrastructure - the development or renovation of public buildings like schools, hospitals, libraries, and community centres to improve public services.

3.            Utility upgrades - the modernisation of utilities like water and sewage systems.

4.            Sustainable developments - like recycling centres, electric car charging points, green spaces, and energy-efficient buildings.

5.            Renewable energy infrastructure such as the development of energy projects like wind farms and solar parks, adding renewable energy to the national grid.