Richard Bridge: This protest is complete bollocks, as anyone who has lived near a peaceful country pub that has suddenly decided that karaoke or a metal jam night can testify.

I don't think you're lookin gat this properly, Richard. The problem isn't with established venues suddenly deciding to hold noisy evdents....as you rightly point out, that's covered quite adequately and has been for many years by the law of nuisance.

What this petition is highlighting is the situation with venues like, say, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells. It's sited well away from residential properties and has no current neighbours upon whom it inflicts a nuisance. However, plans have been approved for a block of flats to be erected nearby on the site of a derelict garage. The developers are perfectly aware of the existence of the venue, yet have no plans to ensure adequate sound-proofing on the site facing the venue. It may take only 1 complaint from an in-coming flat owner to close down (not "re-locate", there's nowhere to re-locate it to) a venue that's provided for the last 20+ years one of the only places in town that new acts, "breaking" bands and local artistes, both electric and acoustic, can perform to a decent-sized crowd. For a town without a university, and where the main venue tends to promote only tribute acts and re-treads of 1960s pop bands, this venue's a vital place for young people and the idea that a new development, by applyin gthe law of nuisance retro-actively, could cause it to close is very unjust.

What's wrong with giving some credence to prior use?