Assets of Community Value

Community groups nominate buildings or land as having value to the community, for listing by the local authority.

A building or land can be listed as an asset of community value if:

• the current primary use of the building or land, or use of the building or land in the recent past, furthers the social well-being or social interests of the local community.
• likely future primary use of the building or land will continue to further the social well-being or social interests of the local community, whether or not in the same way as before

Social well-being or interest includes cultural, recreational, or sporting uses.

Once an asset is listed, the owners cannot dispose of it without:

• letting the local authority know that they intend to sell the asset or grant a lease of more than 25 years
• waiting until the end of a six-week “interim moratorium” period if the local authority doesn't receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder
• waiting until the end of a six-month “full moratorium” period if the local authority does receive a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder

The owner doesn't have to sell the asset to the community group.

The right to bid could give communities up to six months to put together a bid to buy it on the open market. It does not give community groups first refusal but instead helps community groups prepare to raise finance or develop a business plan.

Assets of Community Value in North Yorkshire

You can view all assets and search on our Register of Assets of Community Value in North Yorkshire.

Both successful and unsuccessful nominations are published. We keep listed Assets of Community Value on our list for up to five years.

Nominate an asset of community value

Only specific parishes and voluntary or community organisations are able to nominate an Asset of Community Value. These organisations are:

• parish councils
• a body designated as a neighbourhood forum
• unincorporated bodies, whose members include at least 21 individuals, with a local connection and does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
• charities
• companies limited by guarantee which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
• industrial and provident societies which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
• community interest companies

In addition the body must have a local connection, which means that its activities are wholly or partly concerned within the local area.

You cannot nominate:

• residential property, including gardens, outbuilding and other associated land.
• land licensed for use as a residential caravan site
• operational land of statutory undertakers as defined in section 263 of the town and Country Planning Act 1990

To make a nomination, fill in and return the application form:

•  Asset of Community Value nomination form (docx / 110 KB)

Please contact us if you need any help or advice.