6 Types of Public Opposition to Housing and How to Engage Each One

1. BANANA - Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone

Definition: The entrenched anti-everything group. They see any development, anywhere, as unacceptable.

Mindset: Ideological preservationists. Deeply distrustful of developers and planning authorities.

Behaviour:

• Organise petitions
• Dominate local social media threads
• Use consultations to vent frustration
  
  

Example: A village group campaign against a modest housing extension with “Save Our Fields” signs everywhere.

Goal: Contain, acknowledge, and demonstrate fairness; don’t waste energy converting them.

Message Tip:

“We know not everyone wants to see change. Here’s exactly what’s proposed, and what isn’t.”

How GMV Helps:

• Segment BANANA responses so they don’t drown out moderate views.
• Provide a transparent audit trail to show you listened, even if you didn’t concede.
• GMV ensures each participant can respond only once, maintaining the integrity of results by preventing multiple submissions from the same individual.

2. NIMBY - Not In My Backyard

Definition: Accept new homes in principle,  just not on their doorstep. Protective of local pride.

Mindset: Fear of change harming community feel, home value, local services.

Behaviour:

• Object on detailed local grounds: parking, views, traffic.
• Attend hearings, write to councillors.
• Often reasonable if shown respect.
  
  

Example: Residents of a green cul-de-sac express potential support for new housing, as long as it is not near their homes or impacting their neighbourhood.

Goal: Reassure. Prove adjustments are real. Let them see the difference their input makes.

Message Tip:

"We reduced height, added green buffers, and improved crossings because you asked for it."

How GMV Helps:

• Run design preference surveys, let them pick between layouts or landscape options.
• Use hyperlocal surveys to capture street-specific concerns and identify opportunities to include elements that address local resistance and deliver genuine community benefits.
• Prove input changes outcomes with before/after visual updates.
• Send tailored follow-ups showing local impact, building trust for next time.

3. BYBY - Build In Your Backyard

Definition: Pragmatic realists, they want more homes but suspect their area’s taking more than its fair share.

Mindset: Concerned about fairness, site selection logic, and equal burden.

Behaviour:

• Mild objections: “Why here, not there?”
• Look for transparency and proof of need.
• Rarely obstructive, just want answers.
  
  

Example: Villagers push back on a greenfield scheme while brownfield nearby sits empty.

Goal: Show the evidence behind your choices defuse “Why us?” early.

Message Tip:

“This site was chosen for good access and infrastructure. Here’s the comparison with other options.”

How GMV Helps:

• Share site selection maps side-by-side with community feedback.
• Run trade-off surveys to explore alternatives, asking “If not here, where?” while also educating residents on why the location was chosen.
• Let people rank site criteria themselves to see alignment.
• Build confidence that all options were weighed fairly.

4. MIMBY - Maybe In My Backyard

Definition: The swing voters. Open to new homes if the scheme feels like an upgrade.

Mindset: Want local improvement, clear benefit, and proof they’ve shaped the outcome.

Behaviour:

• Usually quiet, easily ignored
• Flip to resistance if neglected or patronised
• Prefer visuals and real examples over slogans
  
  

Example: A mixed-use scheme gains local buy-in when residents vote on amenities and green space design.

Goal: Co-create. Make them part of the project, not passive observers.

Message Tip:

“Help decide the final layout, your choice shapes what gets built.”

How GMV Helps:

• Use design sliders and image options to test preferences.
• Let people prioritise features: parking, parks, transport links.
• Share mid-project updates to prove real changes from input.
• Keep them looped in with follow-ups, they become your informal ambassadors.

5. YIMBY - Yes In My Backyard

Definition: The natural housing advocates. Pro-supply, pro-density, pro-future.

Mindset: Value affordability, good design, sustainability. Want places that work for young people and families.

Behaviour:

• Support projects, but expect high quality
• Often quiet unless given a voice
• Happy to counter opposition if it’s easy
  
  

Example: A city infill site unlocks vocal YIMBY backing by adding genuinely affordable units and green links.

Goal: Make it simple for them to show up and be counted.

Message Tip:

“Add your name, show your local councillor real support exists.”

How GMV Helps:

• Provide shareable results: “80% support locally.”
• Build an update loop that keeps them energised and sharing.
• Turn them into digital advocates with social-ready callouts.

6. ABBA - Any Building Basically Anywhere

Definition: Consistently supportive, low friction. Often overlooked because they rarely shout.

Mindset: Trust the process, believe supply is good for society. They won’t argue, but they also won’t volunteer to help unless prompted.

Behaviour:

• Passive “Yes” but no active engagement
• Will sign a petition if asked
• Won’t attend meetings but happy to click a link
  
  

Example: A suburban site gains hundreds of supportive clicks when ABBAs get a direct link to “Show your support”.

Goal: Activate passive yes. Make it quick, easy, and visible.

Message Tip: 

"Tell us why new homes matter to you, add your voice here.”

How GMV Helps:

• Deliver mobile-first, low-friction calls to action.
• Display the volume of support to counterweight objectors.
• Keep them informed post-approval, they’re likely to back you again.

Summary Table