AN Oxford MP has backed a proposed law which could protect venues like the city's Cellar bar from harmful development.

Layla Moran is supporting a bill which would force developers to take nearby small businesses into account in their plans.

For music venues it could see housing developers made to pay for soundproofing at the venue to cut the risk of new neighbours complaining about noise.

In cases like the Cellar, which faced eviction, the new law could force a landlord to offer compensation.

The Planning (Agent of Change) Bill is due to be debated for the first time in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Ms Moran said: "The idea would be to look out for existing businesses before granting planning permission.

"As a new MP at the time of the proposed closure of the Cellar, it was really encouraging to see so many people getting involved with the planning and political process for the first time in a bid to save it.

"I’m particularly glad that people power won the day.

"But it lead me to think that there needs to be a re-think of planning policy to better protect well-loved music venues from future developments."

The Cellar, beneath the former Lush store on Cornmarket Street, was served notice to leave in August.

Landlords St Michael’s and All Saints’ Charities wanted to convert the building and its basement to allow a larger shop to move in.

The decision led to a huge campaign to save the Cellar, which was lauded as a success when the planning application was withdrawn in October.

Ms Moran said the new law could have given the Cellar extra protection in the first place by creating a legal obligation for the landlord to consider its plight.

But the law would also cover all small and independent businesses and Ms Moran also said it could have applied to the West Way redevelopment in Botley, where developer Mace forced many small shops to leave this summer.

It could also have offered protection to the Art Jericho gallery, forced to leave its King Street building in 2016 when the owner decided to carry out a major renovation.

Ms Moran said: "This is a law designed to protect the little guy and the independent business which maybe doesn't have as much money as a big developer.

"It is designed to allow them to fight back."

The bill is supported by the Music Venue Trust, the Musicians Union and industry body UK Music, which estimates 35 per cent of venues have closed in the last decade.

Ms Moran added: "I’ve been working with UK Music and MPs from all parties to propose this change in the law that would require developers to have to try and protect existing small businesses and well-loved grassroots venues like the Cellar.

"I hope the government gets behind our campaign, and I’ll be keeping up the fight to give more power to local people to protect existing venues from threats of closure."

The Planning (Agent of Change) Bill will be proposed under the Ten Minute Rule in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

It is being proposed by John Spellar MP (Labour, Warley) and is sponsored by a cross-party group of MPs including Layla Moran.