The UK’s live music scene is in crisis, with many venues facing financial struggles and closure due to various factors. To address this issue, Dame Caroline Dinenage, the chairwoman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has proposed a new clause to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The proposed clause aims to protect live music venues by incorporating existing properties into planning decisions. The Music Venue Trust’s annual report highlights the challenges faced by the industry. In 2023, 22.4% of venues closed due to operational issues, while 42.1% of its members reported financial issues. Noise abatement orders or neighbor disputes were among the reasons for permanent closures. To address these challenges, Dame Caroline suggests that decision-makers take into account existing properties when granting or refusing permission for new projects. This approach would ensure that the needs of an existing cultural venue are considered from the start and would save developers from expensive and often pointless legal disputes down the line. The proposed clause would also promote the integration of proposed development with existing uses of land, including conditions that mitigate the impact of noise on the proposed development. This approach would help authorities stop expensive and often pointless bun fights when neighbors complain about noise. The agent of change principle, which already exists in national planning rules, would be applied consistently to ease pressure on existing businesses. This principle aims to de-risk and speed up planning and development. To achieve this, Dame Caroline proposes that town halls and ministers rule on plans subject to conditions that promote the integration of the proposed development with existing uses of land. This would ensure that the needs of an existing cultural venue are considered from the start and would promote a balance between building enough good homes and preserving the places that make life worth living. The Commons select committee recommended last year that the agent of change principle should be put on a statutory footing to protect grassroots music venues. Dame Caroline agrees with this recommendation and believes that her proposed clause would be good for venues, good for developers and new neighbors, and good for the country as a whole. The Music Venue Trust has reported that music venues are the foundation of the world-beating creative industries and are also very important for local communities. These venues have been placed under threat due to the disruptive planning system and onerous licensing regime. To address this issue, Dame Caroline suggests that the Government take a more proactive approach to protecting live music venues. She believes that the proposed clause would be a step in the right direction and would help to preserve the places that make life worth living. The proposed clause is a call to action for the Government to take immediate action to protect live music venues. It is a reminder that these venues are not just important for the creative industries, but also for the local communities that rely on them. By protecting live music venues, the Government can help to preserve the cultural heritage of the UK and ensure that the country continues to thrive.