Support for new housebuilding has nearly doubled over the past four years, according to new figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The latest results of the British Social Attitude survey found 56% of respondents indicated support for new housebuilding in their area. This was 27 points higher than in 2010. The number opposed to local housebuilding has more than halved during the same period, from 46% in 2010 to just over one in five today.


Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: "In 2010 we inherited a housing market in which local people felt powerless in the face of Whitehall targets dictating the future development of their neighbourhoods. Since putting the power back in the hands of communities, support for local housebuilding has soared, while opposition to new homes has almost halved.

"It’s meant 240,000 homes were granted planning permission in the year to October, while our measures to help aspiring homeowners mean pressure on the Bank of Mum and Dad is easing and the number of first-time buyers is at a seven-year high."

The government said housing starts have risen by 10% over the past year, while the number of first-time buyers is at its highest for seven years.

(IT/MH)