First things first. We're all NIMBYs at heart. The only thing that differs is how we approach and argue against developments.
Take for example, a theoretical "second Tryweryn" somewhere in a remote part of Wales.
Take for example, a theoretical "second Tryweryn" somewhere in a remote part of Wales.
As a civic nationalist, I would oppose it from the standpoint of Wales taking an unfair burden of undesirable development to suit the needs of a distant, foreign government over which we have no sway.
Environmentalists, nearby residents, the "good-lifers" and all the other assorted groups will no doubt come up with other reasons. There would probably be people who support it as well. Those people supporting it could also be NIMBYs. Well they wouldn't want it near them would they?
Does this attitude hold Wales back, economically and socially? Should planning be approached in an entirely utilitarian view, or should other factors take priority, such as sustainability?
Do local communities, contrary to popular belief, have far too much sway over the planning system?
Here's my (tongue-in-cheek) guide to Welsh Nimbyism:
1. Those opposed to all development
AKA – "BANANA" (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything)
Miserable gits one and all. Found in urban areas, but seem to be particularly prominent in the Cardiff and south Wales Valley areas.
Admiral Group, one of Wales' private sector success stories, recently won planning permission for a new HQ for 3,000 people. The Western Mail comments section was immediately set upon by people who though this was, somehow, "bad news."
Any planning decision that doesn't have "rejected" stamped all over it "tramples on the wishes of the silent majority". Why cairn't Kairdeff be likes the good old days?
They'll be quite happy for large swathes of post-industrial Wales to resemble a Smiths album cover, as long as it doesn't interrupt their pint of Daiiirk over a copy of the Echo.
2. Drawbridge Mentality
AKA "Good-lifers"
They're middle class and probably retired. They move to Wales' quieter parts, with "quaint" names they can't really pronounce and not a dark-haired person in sight.
What's that? You were expecting that open countryside with livestock, farm equipment, silage storage and maintained woodland to remain like that until just after you sell your cottage on the market and move to the south of France?
Tough titty. Here come the wind turbines, slapping Wales quite hard in the face. Not satisfied with getting tea-bagged by the Chuckle Brothers in Westminster?
To the Senedd!
Wait. Didn't you say the Welsh Assembly was useless? And that you voted "no" in March?
3. Build it - just not near me....
AKA – "PIBBY" (Put In Black's Back Yard)
This species reside in Wales' leafier suburbs....oh for example.....North Cardiff and the commuter belt villages along the M4 and A55.
They support building homeless hostels (they need somewhere to go), new housing developments (my kids are priced out) or new supermarkets (more jobs for the unemployed). Just not around here. It's not "that sort of area".
It's about twitching curtains and twitchier sphincters as they realise their home equity is going to be affected by the proposed drug rehabilitation centre down the road. They'll make sure that the councillors know that they won't have their vote next time.
4. Organised Opposition
AKA "Citizens Against Virtually Anything"
Retirement getting you down? Feeling a bit lonely? Bored?
Break out the placards and photo shopped images! They've been "fighting for the community" for nigh on two score and twain. There'll be no skate park for teenagers on their watch! No new superstore while the "town" dies on it's feet.
Hyperbole is the name of the game. Everything is a disgrace. Everything will have a "catastrophic" impact on the "community". The community consisting of people they know and their dogs. They'll protest, they'll march, they'll be photographed handing over petitions.
Then, when that new supermarket is built, they'll be shopping there with everyone else and tutting about how it's ruined the town centre....as they pile the trolley with some reasonably priced organic lasagna.
5. The "Enlightened" Objectors
They just know more than you do. This development is about a much bigger issue. It's about global capitalism running roughshod over the proletariat - and there will be some obtuse reference to a socialist pamphlet of which only 50 copies were printed. Civic Trusts, environmental groups, the Welsh language intelligentsia and socialist sects fall into this category.
Long editorials in the national papers, using nice big words. The detail is certainly there but ultimately sending the same message.
"Don't build it near me, guv."
Environmentalists, nearby residents, the "good-lifers" and all the other assorted groups will no doubt come up with other reasons. There would probably be people who support it as well. Those people supporting it could also be NIMBYs. Well they wouldn't want it near them would they?
Does this attitude hold Wales back, economically and socially? Should planning be approached in an entirely utilitarian view, or should other factors take priority, such as sustainability?
Do local communities, contrary to popular belief, have far too much sway over the planning system?
Here's my (tongue-in-cheek) guide to Welsh Nimbyism:
1. Those opposed to all development
AKA – "BANANA" (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything)
Miserable gits one and all. Found in urban areas, but seem to be particularly prominent in the Cardiff and south Wales Valley areas.
Admiral Group, one of Wales' private sector success stories, recently won planning permission for a new HQ for 3,000 people. The Western Mail comments section was immediately set upon by people who though this was, somehow, "bad news."
Any planning decision that doesn't have "rejected" stamped all over it "tramples on the wishes of the silent majority". Why cairn't Kairdeff be likes the good old days?
They'll be quite happy for large swathes of post-industrial Wales to resemble a Smiths album cover, as long as it doesn't interrupt their pint of Daiiirk over a copy of the Echo.
2. Drawbridge Mentality
AKA "Good-lifers"
They're middle class and probably retired. They move to Wales' quieter parts, with "quaint" names they can't really pronounce and not a dark-haired person in sight.
What's that? You were expecting that open countryside with livestock, farm equipment, silage storage and maintained woodland to remain like that until just after you sell your cottage on the market and move to the south of France?
Tough titty. Here come the wind turbines, slapping Wales quite hard in the face. Not satisfied with getting tea-bagged by the Chuckle Brothers in Westminster?
To the Senedd!
Wait. Didn't you say the Welsh Assembly was useless? And that you voted "no" in March?
3. Build it - just not near me....
AKA – "PIBBY" (Put In Black's Back Yard)
This species reside in Wales' leafier suburbs....oh for example.....North Cardiff and the commuter belt villages along the M4 and A55.
They support building homeless hostels (they need somewhere to go), new housing developments (my kids are priced out) or new supermarkets (more jobs for the unemployed). Just not around here. It's not "that sort of area".
It's about twitching curtains and twitchier sphincters as they realise their home equity is going to be affected by the proposed drug rehabilitation centre down the road. They'll make sure that the councillors know that they won't have their vote next time.
4. Organised Opposition
AKA "Citizens Against Virtually Anything"
Retirement getting you down? Feeling a bit lonely? Bored?
Break out the placards and photo shopped images! They've been "fighting for the community" for nigh on two score and twain. There'll be no skate park for teenagers on their watch! No new superstore while the "town" dies on it's feet.
Hyperbole is the name of the game. Everything is a disgrace. Everything will have a "catastrophic" impact on the "community". The community consisting of people they know and their dogs. They'll protest, they'll march, they'll be photographed handing over petitions.
Then, when that new supermarket is built, they'll be shopping there with everyone else and tutting about how it's ruined the town centre....as they pile the trolley with some reasonably priced organic lasagna.
5. The "Enlightened" Objectors
They just know more than you do. This development is about a much bigger issue. It's about global capitalism running roughshod over the proletariat - and there will be some obtuse reference to a socialist pamphlet of which only 50 copies were printed. Civic Trusts, environmental groups, the Welsh language intelligentsia and socialist sects fall into this category.
Long editorials in the national papers, using nice big words. The detail is certainly there but ultimately sending the same message.
"Don't build it near me, guv."
