Components of a NIMBY

As the number of planning applications increase, so too does the number of NIMBY campaigns. It is my job to analyse them, understand them and try and educate them in the error of their ways… 

This was particularly brought into focus by a specific County Councillor in shall we say, Shirley County Council (not a District or a Borough who are the actual LPA, a County, and Shirley CC is up for the chop by 2027 under the proposed Local Government reforms). 

We engaged very early in a very meaningful way with this Councillor. We listened attentively to their views, and their concerns and incorporated some infrastructure and amendments to the plans. We did research and we knew that they live just around the corner from the site. It was generally a friendly and productive meeting, and it felt constructive. The Councillor even made some supportive noises – albeit reserved ones. 

Fast forward a few months and said Councillor is running a campaign with the local Residents Association against the site. Our Councillor friend is also “rent a quote” to the press and has moved in on the soap box, pontificating the evils of developers. 

Take into consideration, this is a grey belt site and will be delivering 50% affordable homes and significant infrastructure (including improvements to a bridge). Amongst the more amusing arguments they raised is that the 50% affordable is not really affordable because the local average house price is just shy of £1million (yes, this is leafy Shirley). The argument is that even if the homes are affordable (125 of them) they aren’t really so “it’s all a nonsense to say they are affordable”. The very next objection was against “small homes and apartments” being proposed on the site as it will be “out of keeping”. 

The rest of the benefits are clearly explained… the area does suffer from localised flooding caused by the runoff from the current field and the development will mitigate against this. The junction and bridge does need work and the development will pay for this. “The shops are too far away, where will the people shop?” Missing the point that the original shops closed because there weren’t enough people shopping there. 

So, it got me thinking? What is really motivating these NIMBYS and our Councillor chum? Zoopla is so informative, and our Councillor chum lives in a house valued at a mere £1.7million and on their drive is a £80k Range Rover and a very nice Merc. The neighbouring area where they are all up in arms, have an average house price of £1.4 million and the roads look like a luxury car showroom. 

What are motivating these NIMBYs? Selfishness. They own their expensive homes and they couldn’t care less about those of us who don’t. They argue about the lack of public transport as they drive around in their expensive cars clogging up the roads. 

There is nothing sincere about these “concerns” they raise. This is all pure hypocrisy and selfish behaviour.

Until next week,

Henry