Senedd will hold talks on under-threat music street

THE future of Cardiff’s live music hub Womanby Street is to be debated in the Senedd.

A petition calling for planning laws to be changed to protect music venues has now passed the 5,000 signature mark and qualifies for a Senedd debate on the topic.

Campaigners want the introduction in Wales of an equivalent to the ‘agent of change principle’ found in planning law in England.

Womanby Street has lost three live music venues so far in 2017 – Dempseys, The Moon Club and The Full Moon – although former staff at The Full Moon are hoping to re-open the venue

Another two – Fuel Rock Bar and Clwb Ifor Bach – face threats from noise complaints and proposed residential developments.

The agent of change principle makes it the responsibility of developers of any new premises, commercial or residential, to find solutions to noise from nearby preexisting businesses.

The law – which protects night time businesses including live music venues, pubs, nightclubs and bars – has been introduced in England, but not in Wales.

The petition was created by composer and conductor Richard Vaughan.

“I am delighted that the petition has passed 5,000 signatures and is now set to be debated in the Senedd,” said Richard, who is standing as Plaid Cymru’s candidate in the city’s Grangetown ward at the local council elections on May 4.

“Our capital city has always had a strong sense of community spirit and the case of Womanby Street has shown that when Cardiff unites behind a common cause so important to so many people, we can push an issue to the top of the agenda.”

The Senedd debate comes as a music-packed all-day event is being held to highlight Womanby Street’s cultural importance.

Music lover Gary Lambadarios organised the gig in an effort to drum up support for the city centre spot which many feel has come under threat from a number of proposed developments.

Tomorrow’s all-day event will feature ’80s psychobilly rock band King Kurt alongside six groups from Cardiff and Newport plus two DJs.

Gary, 50, from Llanedeyrn in Cardiff, said: “The main reason for hosting the event is for the love of music.

“I think what is going on with the street is quite atrocious. We need these small venues to nurture local talent.”

The event runs from 2.30pm to 4am at Womanby Street’s Fuel Club.

Tickets cost £22 in advance or £25 on the door, and can be bought online from See Tickets or from Spillers Records in Cardiff.