An Aberdeen venue has welcomed changes to planning legislation that secure protections for bars and clubs playing live music.
Craig Adams of Krakatoa hailed the move as a “huge step forward” after a Labour amendment to the Planning Bill was passed by MSPs.
The amendment will bring the so-called “Agent of Change” principle into planning law, protecting existing venues from having to spend cash on sound-proofing when developers build nearby.
Mr Adams said: “This is a huge step forward and I’d like to congratulate all parties on having the courage to enshrine Agent of Change in the Planning Act.
“This is, however, only half the battle. Grassroots music venues remain at risk from noise abatement notices, so there also need to be legal exemptions there.”
North East MSP Lewis Macdonald, who has campaigned for Agent of Change, said: “The Labour amendment which passed today secures a unique protection for Scottish live music venues ahead of the rest of the UK.”
Mark Davyd, founder and CEO of Music Venue Trust, said: “We are delighted that members of the Scottish Parliament have chosen to specifically mention live music venues in the Planning Scotland Bill.
“This significantly rebalances the planning process between developers and venues and provides clear guidance to local authorities and planning officers that live music venues must be protected in our towns and cities.”