Global appetite for UK music artists is at record levels.

Adele, Coldplay, Sam Smith and Stormzy continue to produce top-grossing tours and globally successful albums.

According to industry body UK Music, our industry is worth £4.4 billion.

Behind this success, however, there is a real danger that our ability to develop new acts and audiences is under threat. Worryingly, 35 per cent of grassroots music venues in the UK have closed over the past decade. These venues are the lifeblood of the UK music scene, a source of immense pride for communities and a springboard for many artists’ success.

One such example which readers may be aware of is The Cellar in Oxford. This iconic club is one of the oldest gig venues in Europe, having played host to live bands for almost 50 years. It has helped launch some of our most successful bands – including Glass Animals and Foals – and was last year threatened with closure in order to be redeveloped. Fortunately, in this instance the club was saved. However, the same can not be said for similar independent venues across the country.

It is clear that action is needed, which is why I am backing the Planning (Agent of Change) Bill in Parliament to protect our music venues.

Growth in demand for property in UK cities has led to increased rents and more landlords selling to developers. This has led to rising financial burdens on pre-existing operators of grassroots music venues, which are often situated in areas that are popular for redevelopment.

Fortunately, there is a solution which means venues and new residential accommodation can coexist. Where new developments are planned near pre-existing businesses, such as music venues, the 'agent of change' principle would place the onus on the developer to ensure solutions are established to mitigate any adverse impacts on the existing businesses.

That could mean, for example, the developer of new flats takes responsibility for the cost of soundproofing at a music venue to avoid the risk of new neighbours complaining about noise from the venue.

The Planning (Agent of Change) Bill would put this principle on a statutory footing. First tabled last week by John Spellar MP, the Bill will now have its second reading in the House of Commons this Friday.

In order for our creative industries to continue to flourish, it is essential that we do all we can to protect our brilliant grassroots venues. Adopting agent of change into existing planning laws is an important step in safeguarding the future of these vital platforms.

It is now vital that the Government get fully behind the principle and ensure its passage into law.