The Labour party has tabled two amendments to the House and Planning Bill calling for the government to adopt the principle, which states that developers who build close to ‘established’ venues will have to pay for soundproofing.
The amendments are due to be discussed today during a House of Commons debate and according to the New Statesman, the Labour party believe there is a ‘good chance’ the proposals will be supported by ministers.
This magazine has long supported the agent of change principle, launching the Make Some Noise campaign which united the industry to lobby the government to gain protection for established pubs and bars threatened with closure due to noise complaints.
Dugher accused the government of being ‘slow to act’ in stemming a wave of venue closures in a letter to Conservative culture secretary John Whittingdale.
He said: “Many small music venues are in crisis. This is far from unique to the capital to the capital. Venues in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Plymouth, Newport and Swindon, to mention just a few, have either closed or have had considerable threats of closure placed on their businesses in recent years.”
Dugher added that the current guidance given to planning authorities was ‘insufficient.’
The parliamentary Save the Pub group has backed the amendments, arguing they will provide much-needed support for pubs.
Chair Greg Mulholland said: “Live music is a vital part of many pubs, and of the communities which use them. The Agent of Change Principle firmly backs small business venues, including pubs.”