Assets of Community Value
(Community right to BID)
The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations implement the Assets of Community Value scheme set out in part 5 of the Localism Act 2011.
The provisions give local groups a right to nominate land or property to be listed as assets of community value if the principal use of the asset furthers their community's social well-being or social interests and is likely to do so in the future.
If the asset is listed the provisions have the effect of allowing specific community groups a fairer chance to mobilise themselves to bid for it should the owner wish to dispose of it. However, it is a right to bid and not a right to buy.
Who can nominate an asset?
The voluntary or community bodies which may make community nominations are defined in the regulations as:
- A parish council or neighbouring parish council if it borders an unparished area
- An unincorporated body with at least 21 local individuals who appear on the electoral role within St Helens Borough Council's area or neighbouring local authority and which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
- A neighbourhood forum
- Community interest groups with a local connection which must have appropriate one of the following structures:
- A charity
- A community interest company
- A company limited by guarantee that is non profit distributing
- An industrial and provident society that is non-profit distributing
What counts as an asset of community value?
Section 88 of the Localism Act states that the asset will be considered to be one of community value if all of the following apply:
- Its actual current use furthers the social wellbeing and interests of the local community, or a use in the recent past has done so (recent past is considered to be five years)
- That use is not an ancillary one
- For land in current community use it is realistic to think that there will continue to be a use which furthers social wellbeing and interests, or for land that has been in community use in the recent past, it is realistic to think that there will be community use within the next five years
- It does not fall within one of the exemptions
How is a nomination made?
A nomination has to include specific information. To ensure that you comply with the regulations, please use the nomination form in the 'Downloads' section below.
Nomination forms can be returned to propertyservices@sthelens.gov.uk
Our Assets of Community Value Listings
Ref | Borough Ward | Nominating Organisation | Asset Name | Asset Address | Date Received | Date of Decision | Decision | Reason for Decision | Date Notification Received | Interim Moratorium Period (6 weeks from notification) | Intention to Bid received | Name of Group | Full Moratorium Period (6 months from notification) | Protected Period End Date (18 months from notification) | Date listing expires (5 years after listing) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023/01 | Windle | Unincorporated Body | Stan Pennington Allotments | Alder Hey Road, Eccleston | 28.02.2023 | 22.05.2023 | Approved | The non-ancillary use of the land furthers the social wellbeing or cultural, recreational or sporting interests of the local community. It therefore meets the criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011 to be eligible for listing | 21.05.2028 | ||||||
2024/01 | Billinge and Seneley Green | Billinge Parish Council | The John Eddleston Centre | 76 Main Street, Billinge | 22.01.2024 | 26.03.2024 | Approved | The non-ancillary use of the land furthers the social wellbeing or cultural, recreational or sporting interests of the local community. It therefore meets the criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011 to be eligible for listing | 25.03.2029 | ||||||
2024/03 | Thatto Heath | Nutgrove Allotment Association | Nutgrove Allotments | Main Avenue, Thatto Heath | 10.04.2024 | 07.06.2024 | Approved | The non-ancillary use of the land furthers the social wellbeing or cultural, recreational or sporting interests of the local community. It therefore meets the criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011 to be eligible for listing | 06.06.2029 | ||||||
2025/01 | Rainhill | Rainhill Civic Society | Whiston Woods | Cumber Lane, Whiston | 10.12.2024 | 17.02.2025 | Approved | The non-ancillary use of the land furthers the social wellbeing or cultural, recreational or sporting interests of the local community. It therefore meets the criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011 to be eligible for listing | 16.02.2030 | ||||||
2025/02 | Newton-le-Willows | Domestice Abuse Aa12 CIC | The Rams Head Hotel | 2 Earle Street, Earlestown, WA12 9LN | 09.06.2025 | 25.09.2025 | Approved | The non-ancillary use of the land furthers the social wellbeing or cultural, recreational or sporting interests of the local community. It therefore meets the criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011 to be eligible for listing | 24.09.2030 |