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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsInfrastructureStarted 3mos agoActive 1wk ago

Should the national government have the power to override local councils to approve major infrastructure projects?

The UK's intricate planning permission system has become a massive political battleground, with critics arguing it takes too long and costs too much to build anything, from housing to high-speed rail to clean energy. Proponents of overriding local councils argue that "NIMBYism" (Not In My Back Yard) is artificially stunting the country's economic growth and crippling the urgent transition to renewable energy. Opponents argue that stripping local councils of their planning powers is a deeply undemocratic overreach by Westminster that will result in the bulldozing of the British countryside and ignoring the valid concerns of local residents.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 23.7k UK voters.

55%
Yes
45%
No
44%
Yes
37%
No
5%
Yes, but only for critical green infrastructure like wind farms and grid upgrades
6%
No, local communities must always have the final democratic say over their own backyards
4%
Yes, but developers must be legally required to heavily compensate disrupted local communities
3%
No, centralizing power in Westminster is undemocratic and will bulldoze the countryside
2%
Yes, our broken planning system and NIMBYism are strangling economic growth

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 23.7k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 23.7k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BF233TDanswered…1wk1W

In some cases, for critical green infrastructure, grid upgrades and housing, although I share concerns about centralising too much power in Westminster.

 @BF22TLRanswered…1wk1W

No, the government should set criteria for local plans, then the local government should decide them, and then anyone who meets conditions should be free to build without further consultation. People should challenge the rules not specific decisions.

 @BDZW4QDanswered…1wk1W

Yes, but not automatically. Government should have to seek some kind of overrule order based on specific needs of a particular situation

 @BDZPC5Tanswered…1wk1W

yes, as long as it is a country-wide initiative which doesn’t affect the members of the public negatively nor wildlife

 @BDZJG9Lanswered…1wk1W

it depends on whether in is important or not but it could be said that if it is essential then the local councils would paroove it anyway

 @BDV2NVJanswered…3wks3W

only if the councils dont have enough money.

 @BDP4KYJanswered…1mo1MO

I feel as though both national and local should convene together to see what would benefit the town/city and have the people decide via a referendum so that they can decide whether its a good change or not. But only if the project is either expensive or controversial

 @BDNV7PTanswered…1mo1MO

they can do want they want if people agree

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Active 2mos ago

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 23.7k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should the national government have the power to override local councils to approve major infrastructure projects?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/poll/5557962851

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