It a homeowner’s worst nightmare. First, the fences go up around the picturesque field or vacant plot that your home has overlooked since you moved in.
Then the hard hats and diggers start appearing. And before you know it, there is a block of flats towering over your garden, or a new housing development doubling the size of your village.
Millions of homeowners are bracing themselves for this new reality as Labour steams ahead with its plans to build 1.5 million new homes.
Last week, new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced plans to railroad councils into approving new housing developments — even where communities are vehemently opposed.
Millions of homeowners are bracing themselves as Labour steams ahead with its plans to build 1.5 million new homes
Objecting to new building works is often negatively labelled nimbyism. Nimbys are typically typecast as selfishly objecting to their own views being ruined or way of life being changed.
But often residents who object to new plans are simply pointing out flaws that could put unsustainable pressure on local areas.
As councillor Claire Holland, housing spokeswoman for the Local Government Association, puts it: ‘Nothing can replace local knowledge and decision-making by councils and communities who know their areas best.’
A spokesman from the Community Planning Alliance, a not-for-profit group of grassroots campaigners, adds: ‘Labour leadership must understand that communities are not blockers.
‘Nimby is a pejorative term that is used to undermine those with genuine concerns about planning proposals.’
So what can you do if you are worried about proposed developments in your area? Here is Money Mail’s guide to being a loud and proud super nimby.
Find out the plan
Every local planning authority in England and Wales must have a Local Plan for its area. These guide decisions on future development proposals and address the needs and opportunities of the area.
Topics usually covered include housing, employment and shops. It also identifies where development should take place and areas where it should be restricted.
Reading your area’s Local Plan should reveal proposals and restrictions where you live — and give you ammunition for challenging if development is at odds with the stated plan.
Restrictions: Every local planning authority in England and Wales must have a Local Plan for its area
‘The first place to start is with your local planning authority,’ says Duncan Reeves, member of the Albrighton Village Action Group campaigning against 800 new homes on green belt land around the village in East Shropshire.
‘Ensure your council has an up-to-date local plan. Make sure they have a confirmed five-year housing supply plan in place. If you don’t have these then you are at risk from speculative overdevelopment,’ he warns.
You can find your local authority’s plan at planningportal.co.uk/ find-your-local- planning-authority.
Mobilise
Join with your neighbours to form an official campaign group. ‘Get likeminded people in your community quickly mobilised,’ advises Mr Reeves. ‘It takes time, effort and energy and fundraising to fight these rich developers.’
You can start by holding a meeting for people who agree with your cause. Creating a Facebook group can also be a good way of sharing the latest information and bringing in new members.
Volunteers can help in whatever way they can, be that putting up campaign banners, delivering flyers, chairing drop-in sessions, supporting objections or raising money for the cause.
Petition
Create a petition outlining what residents object to and why. Be specific and back objections with evidence.
For example, the National Planning Policy Framework states in paragraph 103 that open spaces should not be built on unless certain criteria are met.
If the planning application doesn’t meet them, include this in your objection. Search for the National Planning Policy Framework at gov.uk.
All British citizens resident in the UK can set up a petition at petition.parliament.uk. You must have five people support it, after which the Petitions Committee reviews it and publishes it online.
Petition: Where local communities are passionate about their area there is usually a groundswell of support for blocking developments
Once there are 10,000 signatories, the Government is obliged to respond. Petitions that receive 100,000 signatories are considered for debate in Parliament.
Most local planning objections are unlikely to reach 10,000 signatories, but Mr Reeves says it’s still worth doing.
They can demonstrate the level of objection among residents to local authorities, the media and decision-makers.
For example, Mr Reeves says that out of Albrighton’s 4,500 population, 3,500 have signed a petition to block the green belt development.
‘This is local democracy in action,’ he adds.
You can also create petitions for free at change.org and most councils have the option to create petitions to raise public concerns about any local matters. Check your council’s website.
Harness skills
Recognise talent and harness the skills in your community.
Those with legal or marketing knowledge can help to create a stronger argument against developments and then promote the cause.
You may find there are people working for the council, or with experience in property, living in the area.
‘Try to include individuals with a range of professional skills,’ says Mr Reeves. ‘One of our campaigners is in public relations and he’s helped to ensure a strong media campaign and consistent communication with the village we are trying to protect.’
Don’t do it alone
When you’re up against developers, some of whom have plenty of cash, political influence and strong relationships in local planning authorities, it can feel like David battling Goliath.
‘You can feel like you’re the only ones stuck in this situation,’ says Stephanie, 71, a resident in the Suffolk village of Thurston, which has seen four new developments go up over the past five years, taking the population from 1,700 to more than 5,000. ‘It’s harder if you feel like you’re fighting development by development.’
If there are a number of planned developments in your wider area, join forces to support each other.
You can also register with the Community Planning Alliance, a not-for-profit volunteer-run group founded in March 2021, whose mission is to unite and assist grassroots campaigners.
More than 700 local campaign groups are registered, with concerns ranging from housing, roads and solar farms to protecting wildlife and green spaces.
Where developments are planned on green belt areas not designated brownfield or ‘grey belt’, Mr Reeves recommends getting in touch with the charity Campaign To Protect Rural England.
- Are you objecting to building projects in your area? Let us know: moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
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