09/03/2018: UK Music has welcomed the publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and called on the Government to fulfil commitments to introduce a legally binding agent of change principle to protect under threat music venues.

The draft NPPF includes important clarification that an “agent of change” should be responsible for mitigating the impact of their schemes on nearby live music venues, placing greater responsibility on developers as a result.

UK Music has spearheaded the campaign to make developers take account of the impact of any new plans on pre-existing businesses like music venues before going ahead with their schemes.

The NPPF sets out the Government’s policy which it expects planning authorities across England to comply with. The consultation on the draft NPPF will run until 10 May with the Government intending for the new rules to come into force before the summer.

This consultation follows a Government announcement in January after a campaign led by UK Music which attracted cross-Party support of over 100 MPs and peers as well as the backing of stars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Sandie Shaw and Craig David.

UK Music Chief Executive, Michael Dugher has said:

“The draft National Planning Policy Framework represents yet another positive development for the future of grassroots music venues. These venues are vital for our talent pipeline and I am delighted that the Government is continuing to back agent of change.

“UK Music and fellow campaigners like the Music Venue Trust will work together to ensure these proposals properly reflect recent positive commitments from the Government to deliver legally robust protections for music venues.

“Thanks in particular to Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid for listening to the industry and for driving this in government. We look forward to working with the Government over the period of the consultation to ensure the voice of grassroots venues is heard loud and clear.”