Having lived in several places in Ireland and in the US, I think the dynamics are very similar. I live in Magnolia in Seattle, where the city planning meetings, Facebook groups, and NextDoor forums have many neighbors objecting to the first sign of real high density housing in the area, because they want to "preserve its character".

In Ballyfermot in Dublin, I see the very same in the groups there in response to similar developments. Ballyfermot is a well connected inner city suburb - perfect for more density - but most of the locals still seem against it. In Ireland the political party who campaign on housing and stand to benefit the most, Sinn Fein, are often objecting themselves to these projects. The fundamental dynamic is that the people who would benefit just don't live in the area yet, and their future theoretical votes don't count yet.