How can I nominate a building or a site as an asset of community value?
The legislation sets out certain requirements that must be met for a site to be included on the list of assets of community value. When we receive a nomination, we will assess it carefully to see whether it qualifies for listing.
If you want to nominate a site as an asset of community value, you will need to meet these key tests:
- Is your organisation eligible to nominate the asset? The legislation says that only certain types of organisation are eligible to nominate a site. These include: town and parish councils; unincorporated groups who have a membership of at least 21 local people; and community interest groups with a local connection, such as a charity, a community interest company or a non-profit distributing company. You will need to show that your group fits one of these categories, for example, by providing a copy of your group’s constitution.
- Does the nomination include sufficient information about the site? You will need to provide the name and address of the site you are nominating and a plan showing its boundaries. If you have any information about the owners or leaseholders of the site, this should be included with the nomination.
- Does the nominated site fall into one of the categories of land that are excluded from listing? A home, or land connected with a home such as a garden, can’t be listed, although there may be exceptions, such as for a flat above a pub. Caravan sites can’t be listed and land that’s used by infrastructure providers, such as railway or highway depots, can’t be listed.
- Is the site currently used in a way that furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community? The government published a policy statement in 2011 which says that the definition of social interests includes cultural, recreation and sporting interests. The statement gives examples of buildings that could be listed, including village shops, pubs, community centres and village halls, but there may be other examples of eligible community assets.
- If the site is currently in use, could it continue to be used for these purposes? You will need to show that there are no fundamental reasons why the site couldn’t continue to be used for social purposes. While it isn’t necessary to submit a fully costed business plan with your nomination, you will need to show you have considered how you will raise funds to buy, operate and maintain the site.
- If the site is currently closed, was there a time in the recent past when it was used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community? If a site or building is closed to the public, it can still be listed as an asset of community value. The legislation says that a site can be listed if it’s been used for social purposes in the ‘recent past’. The ‘recent past’ isn’t defined in the legislation, so we will look at each nomination on a case-by-case basis; for example, how long the site was used over its history and how recently it closed.
- If the site is currently closed, is it realistic to think that it could be used again for social purposes in the next five years? For a closed site or building, you will need to show that it could be used again in the future. Some of the issues to consider are whether the site has been closed recently and is still safe and in good repair; if a site has been closed for a long time and is becoming derelict, it could be much harder to show that it could be used again.
- Does the site meet the interest of the whole community and not just certain groups? You’ll need to show how the site is used and by which groups of people; for example, whether it’s used by children, youth groups, families or older people. A members’ club that charges a high entry fee may not qualify as an asset of community value, but a facility that’s open to a wide range of people and has a modest entry charge may meet the requirement. You will need to provide as much evidence as you can about how the site is, or was, used; for example, copies of events listings in local magazines or websites, posters or flyers for events, photos, newspapers articles or statements from local people who’ve used the site.
- What level of community support is there to list the site? It will help if you can show that there is community support for your nomination; for example, by providing a copy of a petition or statements from people or organisations who use the site.
If you think that you can meet the tests set out above, you can submit your nomination using the link below. You will need to include supporting evidence with your nomination, or we may not be able to come to a decision on what you have submitted.
Assets of Community Value nomination form