WORCESTER’S MP has backed plans to help save under threat music venues.

Yesterday the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, Worcestershire MP Sajid Javid, said housing developers should be responsible for identifying and solving potential sound problems when building near to music venues.

The secretary vowed to work with the music industry to help strengthen planning policy following a campaign backed by stars including Sir Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd's Nick Mason which called for the law to be changed to save grassroots venues - a third of which have closed over the past decade, according to research.

The intervention came after a backbench bill tabled by Labour MP John Spellar and backed by the party's deputy leader Tom Watson lobbied the government for the 'Agent of Change' principle to be enshrined in law.

The principle is aimed at forcing property developers to consider nearby clubs, bars and gig venues before proceeding with construction, placing the onus on them to find solutions to potential noise issues for their future tenants. While it is currently part of planning guidance, it is not a compulsory order developers are required to consider.

The Bromsgrove MP said: "I have always thought it unfair that the burden is on long-standing music venues to solve noise issues when property developers choose to build nearby."

Michael Dugher, chief executive of industry body UK Music who had led the charge with the campaign, labelled it "excellent news for the live music industry".

And earlier today city MP Robin Walker tweeted his support.

"Great to see this - I’ve been contacted by a number of Worcester music venues on this and they're a key part of city’s diverse cultural offer."