Opposition to private housing development in the UK has grown in the past year despite the market downturn, a survey has revealed. The Saint Consulting Group surveyed 1,000 UK residents in January and February this year for the UK Saint Index, an annual survey on public attitude to property development. It revealed that 51% of respondents are opposed to private residential development, up from 40% last year. The index showed that public scepticism is growing over the government’s goal to build 3 million homes by 2020. Last year, 68% of participants felt that the target was unrealistic. This has now grown to 74%. Just 20% support the target. Saint Consulting also found that 71% of those surveyed are unhappy with their council’s planning performance, compared to 65% in 2008. Also, the new infrastructure planning commission (IPC) formed as part of the planning Act to fast track major infrastructure projects through the planning system has had a poor reception – most said infrastructure decisions should be made locally not nationally, and by experts and not elected politicians.