The community right to bid means communities can ask us to list certain assets, such as much loved shops, pubs or other local facilities, as being of value to the community.

If an asset is listed and then comes up for sale, the right will give the community six months to put together a bid to buy it.

Parish councils or local community groups can nominate both privately and publicly owned assets which meet the definition of community value. Our role is to receive and consider nominations, and list assets of community value.

Send nominations via email or post to:

Please mark postal applications "Community Asset Right to Bid Expression of Interest - Confidential".

What might make building or land an asset of community value?

A building or land in a local authority’s area will be listed as an asset of community value if we think: 

  • the current primary use of the building/land or use of the building/land in the recent past furthers the social well-being or social interests (cultural, recreational, or sporting interests) of the local community
  • it is realistic to think that now or in the next five years there could continue to be primary use of the building/land which will further the social well-being or social interests of the local community (whether or not in the same way as before)

Owners

Owners of listed assets cannot dispose of them without: 

  • letting the local authority know that they intend to sell the asset or grant a lease of more than 25 years
  • waiting until the end of a six week ‘interim moratorium’ period
  • if during the ‘interim moratorium’ period the local authority does not receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder, the owner may proceed with the disposal
  • however, if during the ‘interim moratorium’ period the local authority does receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder, the owner may not proceed with the disposal
  • waiting until the end of a six month ‘full moratorium’ period, during which time a community organisation can develop a proposal and raise the money required to bid to buy the asset.

Both moratorium periods start from the date the owner of the asset tells the local authority of their intention to sell. There is also a ‘protected period’ (18 months from the time that the owner notified the local authority) – during this time there can be no further moratoriums. 

The process

The regulations and explanatory note published by the government provide detailed information on:

  • The bodies that can make nominations (such as local parish councils) 
  • Land that is exempt from being listed (such as premises which are primarily residential) 
  • The steps that Charnwood Borough Council has to take when considering to list land as an asset of community value and upon listing that land (including notifying relevant parties) 
  • Arrangements for owners to make appeals on decisions to list or award compensation on any losses incurred as a result of being listed (including internal reviews and external tribunals)
  • Exemptions to the six month moratorium being applied when land is put up for sale or long term lease.

We will acknowledge all nominations and a decision will be made within eight weeks. Assets will then be placed on a list of successful or unsuccessful nominations on the our website. A list of nominations currently being considered will also be available.

See our Cabinet Report dated January 17, 2013:

Last updated: Mon 30th July, 2018 @ 16:17