New Government legislation will be introduced to help protect music venues from closure.
From April 6th, Local planning authorities will have to consider noise impacts on new residents from existing businesses. That means developers are required to seek prior approval on noise impacts before they can change the use of a building from an office to residential use. Or, in simpler terms, you can’t just change an office to flats near a music venue, resulting in noise complaints from those who move in and the closure of the venue.
Mark Davyd of Music Venue Trust says: “We warmly welcome this breakthrough for the UK’s grassroots music venues. This common sense move by the government provides an opportunity for local authorities to use their powers to ensure that live music continues to play a vital economic, cultural and social role in our towns and cities.
“For music venues, this has never been about stopping development or preventing the creation of much needed new housing; it’s always been about ensuring that new development recognises the culture, economy and vibrancy of city centres by building great housing, enabling existing music venues and new residents to live in harmony. This is a major victory for the UK’s music venues and music fans. The fight to protect, secure and improve them goes on.”