The Localism Act of 2011 gives communities the right to ask the council to list certain assets as being of value to the community. This list is known as a Community Asset Register.
If an asset is listed and then comes up for sale, communities have six months in which to put together a bid to buy it.
The Act gives communities an increased chance to save local facilities of community value. The Localism Act does not give a right to buy the property in question (there is no obligation on the owner to accept a bid from the community – but it does give potential bidders the time to put a proposal together).
What property qualify?
To qualify, a property (a building or land) must have a current or recent use which can be shown to further the social well-being or social interest of the community. It can be a private or publicly-owned property. It can’t be a residential property.
The Localism Act does not allow for ‘heritage buildings’ to be included on the register just because they have a ‘heritage value’. They must have a ‘current or recent use’ which can be shown to further the social well-being or social interest of the community. So, it’s the use of the building that is the key here, not its heritage characteristics.
To find out more and to nominate a building or piece of land as a community asset visit:
https://bexhillheritage.com/progress/community-asset-register