Assets of community value

Assets of community value

The Localism Act 2011 came into effect on 21 September 2012. It created a provision allow defined community groups, including parish councils, to ask their Local Authority to list assets that meet the relevant criteria as being of 'community value'.

The Localism Act defines an asset / land of community value if:

  • Its actual or current use (or there is a time in the recent past when its use) furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community, and
  • It is realistic to think that there can continue to be (or it is realistic to think that there is a time in the next five years) non-ancillary use of the building or land that would further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

If you require any advice or clarification please contact us by email Property.records@peterborough.gov.uk or telephone 01733 747474.

Notice of assets listed for sale

The following Assets of Community Value are to be put up for sale.

Ailsworth Methodist Chapel

Notice is given that the site known as Ailsworth Methodist Chapel, a listed Asset of Community Value, will be put up for sale.

The issue of this notice commences an initial six week moratorium period during which time community interest groups may register their expression of interest to be treated as potential bidders for the purchase of Ailsworth Methodist Chapel from the vendor.

Groups must be able to show a local connection and must meet certain criteria specified in the Localism Act 2011. The initial moratorium period will expire on 21st January 2024.

Any expression of interest should be received in writing by no later than 5pm on the above date either by email or post to the following address:

AOCV@peterborough.gov.uk

or

Assets of Community Value
Commercial, Property, and Asset Management
2nd Floor, Sand Martin House
Bittern Way
Fletton Quays
Peterborough
PE2 8TY

The owner will be able to begin the sale process as usual after the expiration of the interim moratorium period if no community interest groups have come forward as a potential bidder.

If a written intention to bid is received during the initial moratorium period, then a full six month moratorium period takes place which gives community groups time to prepare a bid and generate the necessary funds.

The sale of the site will take place under normal market conditions and whilst the community groups who have registered an interest will be given an opportunity to submit a bid, the owner is not bound to accept it.

For further information please contact 01733 747474 or email AOCV@peterborough.gov.uk.

Listed assets

This provision is designed to create more opportunities for local groups to bid for buildings and land defined as community assets when the owner wishes to sell them, enabling them opportunity to preserve facilities that are important to them.

There are certain assets that cannot be listed. These are set out below:

If an asset is listed:

  • The owner must notify the Local Authority when intending to dispose of a listed asset, which will trigger a moratorium period. During this time, community interest groups can apply to be treated as potential bidders

    • At this stage, groups must show a local connection and must meet certain criteria specified in the regulations
    • The owner will be able to begin the sale process as usual after an interim moratorium period of six weeks if no community interest groups have come forward as a potential bidder
    • If a written intention to bid is received during that initial period, then a full six month moratorium period will take place which gives community groups time to prepare a bid and generate the necessary funds
    • The sale itself takes place under normal market conditions and whilst the community group will be given an opportunity to submit a bid, the owner is not bound to accept it.

Eligibility to nominate assets

The following organisations are eligible to nominate assets:

  • Properly-designated “Neighbourhood Forum”
  • Parish councils
  • An unincorporated body whose members include at least 21 individuals, and which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
  • Charities
  • A company limited by guarantee which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
  • An industrial and provident society which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members 
  • A community interest company

The nominating group will also need to have a local connection with the asset, which broadly means the group must demonstrate that its activities are wholly or partly concerned with the Peterborough City Council area or with a neighbouring authority (which shares a boundary).

Make a community nomination

If you meet the above criteria and wish to nominate a building or area of land as an asset of community value, please complete the nomination form in accordance with the attached guidance notes.

A decision on whether or not to list an asset will be made within eight weeks of a completed nomination form received from an eligible organisation.

We keep a record of listed and rejected nominations. Where a property has been the subject of a nomination that has been rejected in the last five years, we recommend that you contact us before making a further nomination, as we will not consider a further nomination unless you are able to provide new and material additional information that justifies reconsideration of the decision not to list.