When we receive a nomination, we will assess it carefully to see whether it qualifies as an asset of community value according to the tests set out in the Localism Act.
We have eight weeks to decide a nomination. We will check through the information submitted by the nominating body. Depending on the nomination, we may:
- Check land ownership information with the Land Registry.
- Contact the landowner and any leaseholders or occupiers to ask for comments on the nomination.
- Contact the local town or parish council to ask for comments on the nomination.
- Advertise the nomination in a local paper, or with a notice on the site, and invite the public to comment.
- Visit the site to see how it’s used.
When we have come to a decision, we will contact the nominating body, the landowner, any occupiers and the town or parish council to let them know our decision and to set out the reasons for the decision.
If a decision is made to list the site as an asset of community value, the landowner has the right to challenge the listing. Firstly, this is through an internal review by the council. If still not satisfied, the landowner can challenge the decision in the courts. The landowner must notify us of an initial challenge within eight weeks of the site being listed.
The listing of the site as an asset of community value is recorded by the Land Registry and on the council’s local land charge register.
The listing will be removed if the site is sold. If a site is not sold, the listing will last for five years. At the end of the five-year period, we will write to the nominating body and the landowner to let them know that the listing has expired. After a listing has expired, there is nothing to stop a community group nominating the site again, however, we will consider the nomination as if it was a new submission, as the circumstances may have changed since it was first nominated.