Enforce the Agent of Change Principle in Planning Law to Protect Music Venues.

Rejected 9 signatures

What the petition asks

I call for the implementation of the Agent of Change principle in UK planning law to better protect grassroots music venues from closure due to local noise complaints and insufficient noise impact assessments conducted by property developers.

The Agent of Change principle was introduced in 2019 to protect grassroots music venues (GMVs) from noise complaints and inadequate noise assessments by property developers. However, it is not legally binding and is applied inconsistently across England and Wales. In contrast, Scotland has adopted it within its National Planning Framework 4, providing stronger protection. With 16% of GMVs closing in 2023, we should follow Scotland’s example and make the Agent of Change principle legally binding across the UK.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) already includes the Agent of Change Principle. You can find out more about the Government's position here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-01-15/24380/ and read more about the National Planning Policy Framework here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2

Timeline

8 Feb 2025	Petition opened for signatures
26 Mar 2025	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 9

Status Rejected

Rejected 26 Mar 2025

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