Housing developers building new homes near music venues should be responsible for addressing noise issues in a move to protect both music venues and their neighbours, the housing secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, has said.
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With late-night venues and community sports clubs sometimes being forced to make high cost changes when new residents move into the area, Javid has committed to working closely with the music industry to help strengthen planning policy.
He said: “Music venues play a vital role in our communities, bringing people together and contributing to the local economy and supporting the country’s grass roots music culture.
“I have always thought it unfair that the burden is on long-standing music venues to solve noise issues when property developers choose to build nearby.
“That’s why I consulted on this in February last year as part of the housing white paper. I am pleased to finally have an opportunity to right this wrong and also give more peace of mind to new residents moving into local properties.”
The proposal was that planning policies and decisions should take account of existing businesses and other organisations, such as churches, community pubs and music venues, when locating new development nearby and, where necessary, to mitigate the impact of noise and other potential nuisances arising from existing development.
The government says this will be incorporated into the updated National Planning Policy Framework.
Photo under CC2 by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Govt