Central Branch Hybrid Event: Agent of Change - Lessons from the Night and Day Cafe

This presentation explores the practical implementation of the Agent of Change principle through the lens of the landmark Night and Day Cafe case in Manchester – one of the first successful defences against statutory nuisance proceedings ending up with a retrospective application of Agent of Change principles.

Peter Rogers will share his experience as expert witness in this groundbreaking case, where inadequate sound insulation in a new residential development led to noise complaints against an established grassroots music venue. The talk examines how comprehensive acoustic monitoring, robust evidence gathering, and the demonstration of Best Practicable Means resulted in what has been described as "the first effective licence to cause statutory nuisance."

Drawing on over 30 years of experience combining Local Authority enforcement and consultancy work, Peter will guide attendees through:

• The evolution and legislative framework of Agent of Change in UK planning policy

• Real-world challenges in balancing vibrant cultural venues with residential development

• Practical techniques for establishing acoustic baselines and gathering defensible evidence

• The critical intersection of planning law, environmental protection, and licensing

• Lessons learned from the Night and Day case that can be applied across sectors

This session is essential for acoustic consultants, academics, planners, environmental health officers, developers, and venue operator clients seeking to understand how Agent of Change works in practice – not just in policy documents, but in practice in magistrates' courts, planning committees and licensing panels.

After the main IOA session, we’ll be heading out for a curry nearby — a relaxed and informal way to continue the conversation. It’s a great opportunity to discuss the topics from the event in more depth, share ideas, and network with fellow attendees. Everyone’s welcome to join.

How do I sign-up?

Sign-up link: https://www.cpdtag.com/app.php?event=313706084E2C5B4E0EBBCC9E7F7185E