Save Womanby Street campaigners have won a significant victory after the Welsh Assembly Government announced their bid to revise Wales’ national planning policy, in support of saving live music venues.
Campaigners have taken to the streets of Cardiff, shown their support online and signed petitions after Cardiff’ famous ‘music street’ was put under threat of venue closures, noise complaints and bids to add residential and hotel premises on Womanby Street.
Following the high-profile Save Womanby Street campaign, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths wants a clear-cut reference to the ‘Agent of Change’ principle to be included in Wales’ national planning policy.
This means that if new developments or uses are introduced near a pre-existing business, such as live music venues, it is the developer’s responsibility to make sure that solutions to address noise-levels are put in place. It would not be the responsibility of the pre-existing business.
Ms Griffiths also said that the policy will be updated – to allow designated areas of cultural significance for music in Local Development Plans.
Ms Griffiths said: “Live music venues contribute greatly to Wales’ thriving cultural scene and our night time economy. I am aware of the efforts to protect the future viability of these venues, including the Save Womanby Street campaign in Cardiff, and I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and commitment of all involved.”
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