Land and buildings that further community interests

The Localism Act gives community groups a right to bid on land or buildings included in an 'assets of community value' list before the landowner can sell it in the open market. Under the Act, voluntary and community organisations can nominate land or buildings (an asset) to be included on the list.

Examples of voluntary and community organisations that can make nominations include:

  • residents' associations
  • sport or other leisure clubs
  • charities.

This list is managed by the Royal Borough. Assets of community value can include private as well as publicly owned assets. 

View assets of community value directory

You can view listed assets as well as rejected nominations and assets serving notice for disposal. 

What counts as an asset of community value?

A building or piece of land is deemed to have community value if the use of the land or building:

  • currently furthers the social well-being or cultural, recreational or sporting interests (known collectively as 'social interest') of the local community, and
  • the use which furthers the social well-being or social interest of the community is not considered 'ancillary' (not the main purpose of the building or land), and
  • it is realistic to think that this, or any other use, which will further the social well-being or interest of the community will continue.

A building or piece of land can also be deemed to have community value if all of the following apply:

  • its use has furthered the social well-being or social interest of the community in the recent past
  • it's realistic to consider that this use, or another, will resume over the next five years.

The Localism Act and the Assets of Community Value Regulations govern the law on assets of community value.