Community Right to Bid (Assets of Community Value)

The Community Right to Bid (sometimes called the Community Right to Buy) gives local community and voluntary groups the chance to protect buildings or land that are important to them.

These sites can be nominated for inclusion on the council’s List of Assets of Community Value (ACVs).

To be listed, an asset must:

• currently support the social wellbeing or social interests of the community (for example cultural, recreational, or sporting use), and
• have a realistic chance of continuing to do so in the future.

What cannot be listed?

Most residential properties are excluded. This includes:

• private homes
• hotels and bed and breakfasts
• caravan sites
• land or buildings used by statutory undertakers

However, housing that is part of a wider community facility can still be considered - for example, a caretaker’s flat attached to a village hall.

Purpose of the scheme

The scheme gives communities more power to protect places that matter to them.
If the council receives a valid nomination, we will assess whether the building or land meets the legal definition of an Asset of Community Value.

A decision will be made within eight weeks.

If approved:

• the asset is added to the public list of ACVs
• a local land charge is registered against the property
• the listing lasts for five years, and can be renewed

What happens if a listed asset is put up for sale? (Moratorium Period)

If the owner of a listed asset wants to sell it, a moratorium period begins. This gives community groups time to consider whether they want to bid.

Interim Moratorium – six weeks

This starts when the owner notifies the council of the intention to sell.
Community interest groups can use this period to express an interest in bidding.

Full Moratorium – six months

If a community group submits a written request during the first six weeks, the full moratorium is triggered.

The owner can continue marketing the property but cannot exchange contracts (except with a community interest group).

Protected period – 18 months

After the moratorium ends, the owner is free to sell the asset for the remainder of this period without triggering another moratorium.

Who can nominate and bid?

To nominate or bid for an asset, a community group must:

• have a local connection to the area, and
• be legally constituted as one of the following:
  
  • a registered charity
  • a company limited by guarantee
  • an industrial and provident society
  • a community interest company

Parish and town councils are automatically eligible to nominate and bid.

Publication of lists

In line with the Localism Act 2011 and the Assets of Community Value Regulations, the council will publish:

• A list of assets that have been successfully listed as Assets of Community Value
• A list of assets that have been nominated but not listed, including reasons for the decision
• Both lists are available to download from this page

Legal Framework

The process is set out in:

• Part 5, Chapter 3 of the Localism Act 2011
• The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012

Further information:

• The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012
• Support for groups interested in taking on an asset is available from Locality

If you are a community group and interested in making a nomination, please complete the below form:

Community Right to Bid nomination form

This page was last updated on 12 May 2026