Localism

Community Right to Bid

The Community Right to Bid started on 21 September 2012.

These rules allow local community groups — such as parish councils, charities, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises — to nominate a building or piece of land to be listed by us as an asset of community value. 

To be listed, the nomination must include evidence showing that the asset meets the legal definition of community value.

This means meeting 1 of these criteria:

  • the building or land is primarily used to benefit the social wellbeing or interests of the local community, and it is likely that this use will continue in the future
  • if the asset is not currently used in this way, there must be proof that it was used to benefit the community in the recent past and is likely to do so again within the next 5 years

Once an asset is listed, the Land Registry updates its records. If the owner decides to sell the listed asset, they must inform us. At this point, local community groups can express interest in buying it. If a group does so, a 6-month delay (moratorium) is placed on the sale to give the community time to raise funds and make a bid. However, the owner is not required to sell the asset to the community. 

If an owner disagrees with their property being listed, they can ask us to review the decision. This request must be made in writing within 8 weeks of receiving the listing notice. The asset will stay listed while the review takes place. The owner will cover their own costs for the process and we'll cover ours.

Requests should be sent to: partnerships.communityengagementteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

If the owner is still unhappy with the review outcome, they can appeal to the General Regulatory Chamber of the First Tier Tribunal. This must be done within 28 days of our decision. Appeals should be sent to: 

Tribunal Clerk, Community Right to Bid Appeals, HM Courts and Tribunals, First-Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber), PO Box 9300, Leicester LE1 8DJ

Email: grc.communityrights@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk

Current lists for Central Bedfordshire

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We’ve also produced some guidance to help you.

How to nominate an asset of community value

To nominate an asset of community value, please use our application form below and email it to partnerships.communityengagementeam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk along with your supporting documentation. 

Please note: Email is not a secure medium. You should take appropriate measures to ensure any personal information sent via email is protected.

Nominate an asset online (Word document)

To help you, there are notes on completing the nomination form linked to the form. You will need to upload supporting documentation to the form.

Our Community Right to Bid for Assets of Community Value Guidance will also give you some helpful hints and tips.

We have also developed a simple Community Right to Bid leaflet to help you through the process.

More information

Celebrate your building

Have you listed an asset of community value in your local area? Are you the proud owner of a listed asset? Do you know or use one of these buildings?

If so, you can now apply for an ACV Certificate to celebrate your building.

Email community.assets@communities.gsi.gov.uk for more details about getting a personalised certificate for you to print out and display to let everyone know how much the place is valued by local people.