Assets of community value

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 local groups 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 an asset on the list is put up for sale, 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.

The list of assets of community value is maintained by the council.  If we decide to list a building or area of land as an asset of community value, this does not mean that the owner is forced to sell it, or to keep it open for the public to use.  However, if the owner does decide to sell, local group can pause the sale for up to six months in order to organise a bid to buy it.  At the end of the six months, the owner may decide to sell the asset to a community group, or to another bidder or to withdraw it from sale.  Listing a building or area of land provides time for local people to raise funds, but it cannot force the owner to sell an asset to a community group.

View the Community Right to Bid (PDF, 33KB)

Nominating a building or area of land

The first step is to nominate the building or area of land you'd be interested in bidding for as an asset of community value using the nomination form.

Assets of Community Value Nomination form

If we consider that the nominated site meets the tests set out in the legislation, we will include it on the list.  Assets are removed from the list after period of five years.   For more information on the community right to bid, visit GOV.UK.

Buildings and land that are included on the list

We've listed these buildings and areas of land as assets of community value:

Update on Folkestone Library

The district council received notice on 7 March 2025 from the landowners, Kent County Council, that they wish to sell the site. On 14 April 2025, the district council received an expression of interest in buying the library from an organisation which qualifies as a community interest group under the regulations. A full six-month moratorium period has therefore been triggered. This period will end on 7 September 2025. During this period the owner may continue to market and negotiate sales but must not exchange contracts (or enter into a binding contract to do so) unless it is to a community interest group.

Unsuccessful nominations

There are no unsuccessful nominations within the last five years.

Pending nominations

There is currently one pending nomination.