Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 95
Place agent of change principles on a statutory footing at the earliest opportunity.
Recommendation
Despite the welcome introduction of the agent of change principles, venues are still facing a widespread risk of closures due to planning and redevelopment-related issues. We recommend that the agent of change principles are put on a statutory footing at the earliest opportunity.
Government Response Summary
The government states it will consider what can be done to improve the implementation of the existing agent of change requirement, rather than committing to putting the principles on a statutory footing.
Paragraph Reference:
95
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government is committed to protecting grassroots music venues, and recognises that planning should support grassroots venues and other music spaces to coexist alongside residential and other developments. The agent of change policy in the National Planning Policy Framework applies to all forms of existing business and community activity which could be affected by development proposals in the vicinity of them, and should safeguard them from adverse effects on their operations arising from that development. Mitigations required as a result of the agent of change policy should be secured through planning conditions, and compliance with these is a legal requirement. The Government will consider what more can be done to improve implementation of the existing agent of change requirement, alongside the wider steps being taken to improve the resourcing of local planning authorities.