More than 80% of people believe Britain needs more housing for sale and rent - but far fewer want those homes built near where they live, according to a new poll. The YouGov poll for the New Homes Marketing Board confirms that nimbyism remains alive and well and that the situation has worsened since 2007. Then, a similar number of people agreed with the need for new homes, but the percentage supporting first time buyer developments in their area was higher - 58% compared with 50% now. "This fall is disturbing," said NHMB chairman David Pretty. "We have a situation where more people recognise that we have a chronic national housing shortage, but who seem increasingly against playing their own local part in accepting more housing."