New government legislation has been passed to protect UK music venues

Image: The Kazimier

A new government legislation designed to protect music venues in the UK will come into force from 6th April 2016.

The new regulations will require local planning authorities to"seek prior approval from the local planning authority in relation to the noise impacts on new residents before a change of use from office to residential can be carried out under permitted development."

As it currently stands, if an office building near a music venue is turned into residential buildings, the new residents who complain can often impact on the future of the nearby venue. 

In a statement, the Music Venue Trust says: "In short - you can't change offices to flats any more if a music venue is nearby, developers will need to work with the local authority and the music venue to ensure that live music is protected."

MPs Brandon Lewis and James Wharton who penned the official letter to The CEO of UK Music, Jo Dipple, said: "This will help to ensure that before residents move into new housing in close proximity to well established businesses, including music venues, local authorities are able to require the applicant to put in place noise mitigation measures where appropriate."

Dipple has replied positively to the change in legislation, saying: ""There are times when it seems Government does not listen. When it does, and when it acts on what it hears, we should be proud of our political masters."

The news comes only months after the closure of Liverpool's Nation and The Kazimier (pictured above).