By Monk
The news that the Government may finally make the ‘Agent Of Change’ principle a legally binding aspect of planning applications has been broadly welcomed by the charity fighting for the existence of grassroots music venues across the ÜK.
The ‘Agent Of Change’ principle, which requires developers to give cognizance to existing activities and infrastructure such as pubs and clubs, was introduced into the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England and Wales in 2018. At the time, it was seen as a major breakthrough in the protection of music and entertainment venues. However, it was introduced as a policy rather than a legally enforceable condition of planning permissions, meaning that planning authorities – i.e. local councils – did not have to enforce it. The results have been all too clear over the intervening years…
Now, the Government has confirmed that the principle – which has been in place and legally enforceable in Northern Ireland since 1972 – could be embedded in suggested amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework and Licensing Policy.
The Music Venue Trust, which campaigns for the preservation of grassroots venues, has welcomed the move, albeit with caveats:
The suggested amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework and Licensing Policy do look very promising, but we will hold the celebrations until we see the detail.
It remains the case that the Government could significantly decrease red tape and speed up the planning process by fully legislating Agent of Change principles. An opportunity to do this exists in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is currently under review in the House of Lords before it returns to the House of Commons. Less than Statutory Legislation may be able to achieve the same outcomes, but would require substantial investment in information, advice, guidance and training for local authorities, planning advisors, and developers.