In our latest poll, we asked over 1,500 UK internet users to tell us which type of major infrastructure they'd least like to see built near them. Here's what they told us.There's more insight and analysis on the 52M blog.

1. New polling reveals the relative popularity
of various controversial yet critical
types of infrastructure project

2. We surveyed over 1,500 UK internet users and
asked them which of five types of new
infrastructure they would least like to see built
near them. Adjusted to ensure the results are
representative of the UK general population, here’s
what 1,274 respondents told us.
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3. We specifically examined attitudes toward critical infrastructure that is often labelled as
being contentious or ‘controversial’, these being:
Large-scale renewables
New road and rail
Onshore oil and gas
Housing
Waste
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Controversial yet critical

4. © 52M Consulting Limited 2018
Almost a third of
people said that
waste recycling or
incineration facilities
were the
development they’d
least like to see built
near them
A further third said
they’d least like to see
an onshore oil and gas
‘fracking’ site being
built near them
Said they’d least
welcome a new
housing development
near them
A surprisingly low
number of
respondents said that
new road and rail
infrastructure was
the type of
development they’d
least like to see built
near them
Least favoured developments: the headlines
Large-scale
renewables, like wind
and solar, were the
least favoured form of
development for just
a tenth of people
32% 32% 15% 11% 10%

5. © 52M Consulting Limited 2018
Waste recycling and incineration
It’s likely that the relative unpopularity of waste handling sites is based
on preconceptions concerning noise, odour, dust, traffic, pollution and
potential health impacts.
32%

6. © 52M Consulting Limited 2018
Onshore oil and gas
Constant media references to onshore oil and gas as ‘controversial’ will
no doubt have contributed to negative public perception, along with
the campaigning efforts of environmental NGOs.
32%

7. © 52M Consulting Limited 2018
Housing
Worries that an increased supply of new housing could put downwards
price pressure on existing properties is the most likely cause of
people’s reluctance to host new build developments near them.
Concerns about additional pressure on local services will also be a
factor.
15%

8. © 52M Consulting Limited 2018
New road and rail
People obviously recognise the advantages that stem from greater
connectivity and increased mobility of people and goods, and are no
doubt also prepared to accept new road and rail infrastructure if it cuts
down on congestion and improves journey times.
11%

9. © 52M Consulting Limited 2018
Large-scale renewables
Wind and solar farms prove consistently popular with the public in
national polling, enjoying high levels of support. There is a caveat,
however: opinions can and do change when a new development is
proposed near to people.
10%

10. Like all polls, we asked a question posed in the abstract, and so whilst the results presented here
can be used as a general guide to the relative popularity of different types of infrastructure
developments, a guide is all they can ever be. For instance, our question didn’t specify what was
meant by ‘near them’ and so respondents will have relied on their own interpretations. Likewise, we
didn’t ask people to express their support for, opposition to or ambivalence towards the different
types of infrastructure presented, and so it is not possible to say, for instance, that whilst 32% of
people would least like to see a new waste facility developed near them, a corresponding 68%
would favour such a development. And we didn’t ask respondents to explain their answers. But the
fact that the results correspond to those seen elsewhere in other surveys does indicate that this is
broadly how the public see these types of development.
© 52M Consulting Limited 2018
It’s more nuanced than polling suggests

11. To read more about our thoughts on what these results mean, visit:
https://www.52mconsulting.com/least-popular-forms-infrastructure-are
© 52M Consulting Limited 2018
There’s more on the 52M blog

12. We work in ‘third rail’ issues where we help to engage, educate
and inform relevant audiences in order to mobilise genuine
supporters of controversial yet critical infrastructure projects.
Can we help you? Call 0345 123 2544
© 52M Consulting Limited 2018