FESTIVALS supremo Geoff Ellis said music venues had been saved from a “crippling threat” as Holyrood moves to end neighbour noise disputes.
Clubs and concert halls will be spared from “high cost changes” and “expensive” legal complaints under changes announced by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart yesterday.
Developers will now be required to ensure homes built close to live music venues are adequately soundproofed following a campaign by promoters and managers.
Glasgow venue King Tut’s, where Oasis were discovered, had to “commit significant expenditure” on planning and other services to protect itself against planned hotel and residential developments close to its city centre location, according to Ellis, who is chief executive of its owner DF Concerts and Events.
Ellis, the force behind the T in the Park and Trnsmt festivals, said an annual £334 million economic boost from the night-time economy was at risk if clubs could no longer afford to operate.
Other venues in the city, including the O2 Academy and Sub Club, also backed the adoption of an “agent of change” principle into planning rules to stop venues picking up costs as a result of external developments.
In Edinburgh, businesses including The Venue and Studio 24 have pulled the plug over noise complaints related to new developments.
Yesterday Ellis welcomed Stewart’s announcement that the rule will be incorporated into the new national planning framework, with councils told to implement it immediately.
Ellis said: “Today’s news that the agent of change principle will be adopted into Scottish planning policy is a huge step in protecting Scotland’s live music scene.
“It removes a crippling threat that loomed over our music venues for too long.”
Caroline Sewell, Musicians’ Union regional organiser for Scotland said the move was positive for the live music sector and musicians.
She said: “After campaigning tirelessly with colleagues from the Musicians’ Union and elsewhere across the country, and seeing the agent of change principle come into force in English and Welsh planning law, we are delighted that Scotland is now following suit.
“This a real victory for the live music sector in what are already precarious times. It is also a victory for the musicians who rely on these venues to develop their craft and audiences and for the venues themselves, who play such a crucial role in our communities and the fabric of our live music ecosystem.”
Announcing the change, Stewart said: “The Scottish Government recognises the significant cultural and economic contribution of our music industry.
“It is only right we do what we can to protect the established and emerging musical talent.
“Music venues should not have to make high cost changes or deal with expensive disputes because of new developments.
“Developers will be responsible for identifying and solving any potential issues with noise, giving residents of new homes a better quality of life and allowing our music venues to continue to operate.”
More than 200 firms were surveyed by the universities of Edinburgh, Newcastle and Turku in Finland.
The news comes one day after the publication of research that found that one third of the UK’s small venues are under financial threat caused by business rates.
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