planning for the future
The Impact on Music, Art, Culture and the Night Time Economy,

in partnership with the Music Venue Trust, Outset Contemporary Art Fund, Studiomakers, Night Time Industries Association and the Creative Land Trust 2020
A public facing discussion paper outlining the potential impact of the proposed reforms to planning in England

On 6 August 2020, the U.K. government published Planning for the Future, outlining its proposals to overhaul the planning system in England. These are described as the most significant changes to the planning system since WWII.

Sound Diplomacy, in partnership with the Music Venue Trust, Outset Contemporary Art Fund, Studiomakers, Night Time Industries Association and the Creative Land Trust, argue that while reform is welcome, the White Paper does not address significant issues related to the impact of the planning system on cultural spaces and venues and will, if implemented as is proposed, challenge England’s music, culture, art and night time economy sectors. We also recognise that these proposals are just that – proposals – and we hope this discussion paper supports the redrafting of a planning policy that supports the wider creative economy.

We have written a discussion paper that outlines the impact these reforms may have. Please download, read, comment and share at #PlanningForTheFuture.

  • “We welcome planning reform but culture – and the spaces and places to accommodate it – need to be at the forefront of how we plan for the future and create places worth living in, rather than places to live. We hope these ideas spark debate and contribute to a better system that benefits all of us, no matter where we live.”

    — Shain Shapiro PhD, Founder and Chairman, Sound Diplomacy

  • “There is undeniable value in our creative industries. However, every artist needs a space to work, otherwise the very start of England’s creative supply chain is threatened. Studiomakers successfully integrates artist workspaces into redevelopment projects in our capital, and aims to replicate its working model across the country.”

    — Nicolette Cavaleros, Co-Director and Trustee, Outset Contemporary Art Fund

  • “Britain’s creators are among our most important sources of competitive advantage on the global stage. It would be a sad irony if, just as the Creative Land Trust begins work to secure more studios for artists and makers, changes to planning rules inadvertently damage the creative sector and diminish the UK’s world-leading cultural infrastructure.”

    — Gordon Seabright, CEO, Creative Land Trust

  • “The Planning White Paper raises some key challenges; in particular highlighting the impact of the planning system on the development and success of businesses and communities within the Night Time Economy. It’s vitally important that we provoke discussion and debate throughout this process, placing significant importance on protecting the cultural integrity of the country, so that we are able to shape the cities and towns of the future.”

    — Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association

  • “The Planning White Paper presents both challenges and opportunities across decades to come, shaping the kind of towns and cities we want to live, work and socialise in. It’s essential that the music industry and the wider creative industries play a key role in ensuring that the vital role of cultural and creativity in those future cities is recognised and celebrated through sensible measures in the final White Paper that will seek to protect, secure and improve our cultural assets.”

    — Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust


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