Scotland’s live music venues should be given greater protection from noise complaints which can ultimately threaten them with closure, according to a Holyrood Committee.
This is just one of the recommendations in a report published by The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee on the Planning (Scotland) Bill today.
In the report, the Committee recommends that a principle called Agent of Change should be included within planning legislation. The Agent of Change principle places the responsibility on new developments to mitigate pre-existing noise impacts.
The Committee’s recommendation follows new guidance from the Scottish Government, which encourages local authorities to reflect the Agent of Change in their planning decisions. However, as it stands, this added protection for music venues is not included in the proposed legislation.
Local Government and Communities Committee Convener, Bob Doris MSP (above), said: “We all have fond memories of visiting local music venues and hearing emerging new talents. Music venues are an incredibly valuable part of many communities and make an important contribution to the cultural life and economy of Scotland.
“We think it is unreasonable for those moving into a new development to be able to complain about pre-existing noise levels, which can result in music venues closing their doors because it’s too costly to mitigate that noise. That’s why we want to see the Agent of Change principle included within the Planning Bill.”
The Committee also asked for more information on the definition of ‘cultural spaces’ and whether this should include grass-roots music venues and protection for wider creative hubs such as local theatres.
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