“A pivotal moment” as agent of change principle comes into force in UK

The UK music industry has won a major battle to protect small live music venues from new developments.

After an alarming rate of venues were forced to close due to complaints about noise from new residents in neighbourhoods where music venues already existed.

The campaign was led by UK Music, an umbrella group of music associations, and the Music Venue Trust.

The UK government has now included the agent of change principle in its National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

It applies to existing businesses and community facilities as places of worship, pubs, music venues and sports clubs.

The agent of change puts the onus on building developers to soundproof their buildings against amplified music noise from existing venues.

Local authorities are legally bound to comply with the NPPF.

Agent of change must now become part of their planning policies and be considered when they consider development applications.

Already the mayors of London and Bristol have officially committed to applying it in their areas, as have devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.

Some UK music executives previously indicated that the successful adoption of agent od change in Melbourne and the state of Victoria was a major catalyst for its own moves.

UK Music CEO Michael Dugher said: “The introduction of agent of change in the NPPF marks a pivotal moment in the fight to protect under threat music venues.

“The government is to be congratulated for taking this decisive step.

“Too often music venues have been the victims of developers.

“This new law will help ensure music venues can continue to grow audiences and develop talent, contributing significantly to our £1 billion (A$1.76 billion) live music industry.

He continued, “this has been a long fought battle and it is vital that local authorities back it to save live music.

“There is now no excuse for local authorities for not stepping in to protect grassroots music venues.”