The study looks at the possibility of reducing local opposition to new housing through the use of financial payments to those affected.
The study found that 10% felt that a direct financial payment would or might reduce their opposition to housing development; 6% said it would, 4% said maybe. The large majority (84%) felt that the payment would not influence their views on housing development or their likelihood to engage in some form of direct or indirect opposition to it.
Financial payments were associated with ‘bribes’ by 46% of respondents. There were also concerns by households that such payments could lead to a reduced developer contribution, especially as pressure on infrastructure and services was often the main reason for opposition to housing development.
The report also found that 74% felt that individual residents had a limited ability to influence development.
The study notes that it was a theoretical exercise, thus responses are influenced by the specific wording of the questions. A real scenario that involved actual payment may have led to different responses.