A community wishing to make a bid for an asset that has come up for sale should notify us in writing using our intention to bid form.
Defining an Asset of Community Value (ACV)
The Localism Act describes an asset of community value as a building or other land in a local authority’s area, which is of community value, if in the opinion of the authority:
- an actual current use of the building or other land, which is not an ancillary use, furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community
- it is realistic to think that there can continue to be non-ancillary use of the building or other land which will further (in the same or different way) the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.
Buildings or land can also be considered as an asset of community value if:
- in the recent past it has furthered the social wellbeing or interests of the local community
- it is realistic to think that within the next 5 years it would further the social wellbeing or interests of the local community.
Examples of land which is not of community value and therefore may not be listed could be:
- residential properties and land connected to a residential property
- caravan sites
- operational land as defined in section 263 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
- hotels (although there are exceptions if its main use is not the accommodation element)
Planning rules for ACV listed pubs
Rules surrounding the conversion of pubs to other uses came into force on 6 April 2015 and these are detailed in the ACV Guidance and Procedure document [PDF, 0.3MB].
Please visit the planning portal to the Town and Country Planning Use Class for further guidance.
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Examples of Community assets include:
- nurseries and schools, health centres, surgeries and hospitals, day care centres
- parks and open green spaces, sports and leisure centres, libraries/theatres/museums or heritage sites
- community centres, youth centres, public toilets
- village shops and pubs - which also provide an important local social benefit which would no longer be easily available if that service should cease.
More than a pub
The Community Pub Business Support Programme is a two-year programme established to help support community ownership of pubs in England. Its value is £3.62 million and is jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and Power to Change.
It is led by the Plunkett Foundation, and delivered in collaboration with Co-operative & Community Finance, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Co-operative Mutual Solutions, Pub is the Hub, and Locality. This programme will offer the community pub sector access to an end-to-end support programme, including capacity building and a finance package made up of loans and grants.
News and Events
From time to time we run Community Pubs events to provide information and updates on:
- the changes in legislation affecting pubs listed as Assets of Community Value
- the help that we can give through reductions in business rates
- free broadband connection vouchers for pub businesses
- how to utilise social media to market your pub
Visit the following links for further information about: