Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Labour’s Shadow Planning and Housing team have tabled new clauses (to be debated on Tuesday 8 December) to the Planning and Housing Bill that would implement the “Agent of Change” principle to help small music venues.

Under the “Agent of Change” principle, an apartment block to be built near an established live music venue (open for at least a year) would have to pay for soundproofing and mitigate against any other potential problems.  Labour’s amendments would also ensure that residents of buildings converted to residential use are protected from factors, particularly noise, affecting their amenity.

Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: 

“Since 2010, the Conservative Government have just stood by whilst more and more grassroots music venues have been forced to close. 

“Small music venues play a key role in the success of the UK creative industry through enabling great young talent to grow and develop into our next global stars.  But there is a real crisis at the moment and that’s why we need to adopt the Agent of Change principle to support small music venues. 

“Only a change in legislation can adequately resolve the situation and protect all concerned parties by clearly stipulating who is responsible for soundproofing and other necessary measures when a change is introduced to an area.  This has the support from the music industry and I hope the Government will now back Labour’s amendments so we can help save grassroots music venues before it’s too late.”

ENDS 

Notes: 

1.   Many small live music venues are currently in crisis and hundreds across the country are having to close.  Of the 430 music venues that traded in London between 2007 and 2015, only 245 are still open.

2.   The Music Venues Trust has said that the Government’s amendments (in 2013) to permit offices, car parks and disused buildings across the country to be converted to residences without planning permission has made the situation for small music venues even worse.  For many, the venues chose their location deliberately so that music wouldn’t be a ‘nuisance’.  http://www.musicvenuetrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/music_venue_trust_Report_V5-1.pdf

3.   The Agent of Change principle has already been implemented in Australia and the outcome has been improved planning with venues working alongside their communities to manage their noise when it changes and developers making better residences that are fit for purpose.

4.   The campaign for “Agent of Change” to be implemented in the UK has been getting stronger in recent years.   It is backed by many MPs, the music industry (UK Music), BBC Radio 6 and many small venues. 

Labour’s amendments:

Dr Roberta    Blackman-Woods

Michael Dugher

John Healey

Teresa Pearce

Matthew Pennycook

Helen Hayes

NC19

To move the following Clause—

“Granting of planning permission: change of use to residential use

After section 58 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, insert—

“58A  

Granting of planning permission: change of use to residential use

(1)    

Before planning permission is granted under section 58(1) for change of

use of a building to residential use as dwellinghouses, the body

considering granting planning permission must consider the impact of

noise and other factors from buildings which have been in continuous and

unchanged use for at least a year in the vicinity which would affect the

amenity and enjoyment of the residents of the dwelling houses.

(2)    

Where planning permission is granted under section 58(1) for change of

use of a building to residential use as dwellinghouses, the permission

must include conditions imposed on the persons granted planning

permission in respect of the building changing use to—

(a)    

eliminate noise between the hours of 10pm and 6am from

neighbouring buildings which have been in continuous and

unchanged use for at least a year before the permission is given;

and

(b)    

counteract any other impact seriously impairing the amenity and

enjoyment of  the residents and prospective residents of the

dwellinghouses arising from neighbouring buildings which have

been in continuous and unchanged use for at least a year before

the permission is given.””

Member’s explanatory statement 

This new Clause would ensure that residents of buildings converted to residential use are protected from factors, particularly noise, affecting their amenity and enjoyment. Such measures shall be the responsibility of the agent of the change of the permission.

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods

Michael Dugher

John Healey

Teresa Pearce

Matthew Pennycook

Helen Hayes

NC20

To move the following Clause—

“Permitted development: change of use to residential use

Where the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by    sections 59,

60, 61, 74    or 333(7) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, makes a

General Permitted Development in respect of change of use to residential use as dwelling houses, the change must first be subject to prior approval in respect of the impact of the amenity and enjoyment of the prospective residents of the dwelling houses arising from neighbouring buildings which have been in continuous and unchanged use for at least a year before.”

Member’s explanatory statement 

This new Clause would ensure that residents of buildings converted to residential use are protected from factors, particularly noise, affecting their amenity and enjoyment when buildings are converted to residential by virtue    of a General Permitted Development order. Such measures shall be the responsibility of the agent of the change of the permission.