In neighbourhoods across the country there are buildings and areas of land that are important to the communities that use them, such as village shops, village greens, pubs, community centres and libraries.
The Localism Act allows certain types of local community group to nominate buildings and land that they consider are of value to the community, to be included on a list of assets of community value.
If the owner decides to sell the land or building, then community groups are given an opportunity to express an interest in buying it. That will trigger a six-month period during which they can raise funds and make an offer to the owner.
