CAROLINE Lucas is pushing for a change in the law to protect the buzzing live music scene in Brighton and Hove.

The Brighton Pavilion MP has written to the secretary of state for culture, media and sport calling on the Government to protect long-established live music venues from being closed down by noise complaints filed by new neighbours.

She wants to see legislation brought in requiring developers to take responsibility for soundproofing newly built homes near music venues.

The call follows a successful campaign in the city led by music promoter Mark Stack, who collected 4,000 signatures to put a stop to the threat to music venues.

Mr Stack claims the city’s famed live music industry is being put at risk by over-zealous use of environmental health legislation, forcing the closure of venues following noise complaints.

Campaigners point to the closure of The Blind Tiger in Grand Parade and the Freebutt in Phoenix Place as victims of the legislation.

Now the Green MP has stepped in as a member of the Performers All Party Group in Parliament to try and put the onus back on developers rather than landlords and venue owners.

Ms Lucas said: “We need to find a solution which both protects venues from unnecessary closure and allows people to live in homes that aren’t affected by high noise levels.

“This proposed change in the law couldn’t come a moment too soon for Brighton and Hove – a city that relies so much on the entertainment industry.”

Mr Stack claimed that the exisiting legislation was being abused to make “malicious or profit driven” complaints against venues to get them closed down.

He said: “The way it is worded, even if a venue has existed peacefully with its neighbours for a good number of years, the council can be forced by law to serve a noise abatement notice.

“What we need is a change in the legislation to protect music venues from the opportunistic interests whilst still protecting residents from excessive noise.”

Mark Davyd, of the Music Venue Trust, said: "The UK's grassroots music venues are important incubators of cultural, social and economic activity, the kickstarter of our global live music industry.

“This is a first step towards how we re-evaluate the work of these venues and giving them the proper recognition and support they deserve within our communities."