Are noise nuisance complaints choking the life out of UK’s small music venues? There is a ongoing debate so between campaigns and Defra.
Noise nuisance complaints could be sounding the death knell against some of the UK’s best loved small music venues, unless there is a change in the law, say campaigners. Affectionately known as the “toilet circuit”, the network of small music venues across Britain are often credited with nurturing future singing talent.
Who’s Under Threat?
But now these noisy backroom clubs are facing the threat of closure unless there is a change in the law to protect them from residents seeking to enforce noise pollution orders and developers converting neighbouring office blocks to apartments. Already noise issues have forced the closure of the renowned Freebutt club in Brighton and the 200 Club in Newport, Gwent.
Singer Ed Sheeran, who cut his teeth on the back street circuit has backed a successful campaign to rescue the Boileroom in Guildford, Surrey where he was once a regular. Also under threat are Liverpool music venues The Kazimier and Nation, the home of Cream, where developers plan to rent short-term serviced apartments in an area known for late-night music.
Fans Fighting Back
More than 35,000 music fans have already signed an e-petition urging the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to ensure anyone who buys or rents a property within a set distance of a music venue should sign a waiver giving up the right to complain about noise.
Frank Turner, the folk-punk singer, and ambassador for next January’s Independent Venue Week, hopes to meet Culture Secretary Sajid Javid to broker a solution. “The toilet circuit is vital,” he said. “It gave groups like Biffy Clyro and Arctic Monkeys space to develop, hone their craft and build audiences. Without these clubs the only people able to play the O2 Arena will be X Factor Christmas tours.”
Turner wants to see the “agent of change” principle, which applies in Australia and Canada, introduced here. Any developer building or renovating near an established live music venue would have to pay for soundproofing, while a live music venue opening in a residential area would be responsible for the costs. A resident who moves close to a music venue would be assessed as having done so on the understanding that there’s going to be noise, with venues managing their impact.
Turner said: “I’m not opposed to development but there’s an imbalance of justice. It only needs one or two residents moving in to make a noise complaint and a venue that’s been there for 25 years can get shut down. The agent of change principle seems entirely sensible. It just gives some recognition that there is a culturally significant precedent there.”
The Debate Rages On
Defra argues that current legislation “strikes the appropriate balance between managing the noise environment and considering the needs of business,” but Mr Turner says the Music Venues Trust campaign believes some ministers are also sympathetic.
A debate on “noise v nuisance” will be held at London’s Southbank centre during the first National Venues Day on 9 December. Where do you stand on the issue? Tell us your thoughts on Twitter.
