Wealden District Council
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Community Right To Bid – Assets of Community Value

A building or other land is an asset of community value (ACV) if its main use has recently been or is presently used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community and could do so in the future.

The Localism Act states that ‘social interests’ include cultural, recreational and sporting interests.

The statutory rules about assets of community value can be found in sections 87 – 103 of the Localism Act 2011 (external link) and in The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012 (external link).

The following links provide information that you may find useful.

In order for land or a building to be affected by the Community Right to Bid rules, also known as the Assets of Community Value regulations, its main use must further the social well-being or interests of the local community, or have done so in the last five years and be likely to do so in the future. This use may include the provision of public, sport, recreation, culture or community services. Properties which have not had a social use for some years or are derelict are not covered by the Act.

We will only accept requests to include assets on the list from eligible community groups.

Eligible groups must have a local connection to the land or property they wish to nominate, and be one of the following types of organisations:

  • Parish or town council
  • Unincorporated community groups with at least 21 members who are registered to vote within the Wealden district area
  • A neighbourhood forum, set up in accordance with section 61F of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
  • A charity
  • A community interest company
  • A company limited by guarantee
  • An industrial and provident society

We will not accept nominations from any other bodies.

If you want to nominate an asset of community value you will be required to complete a nomination form.

The form has three main sections covering your organisation, the asset you wish to nominate and why you believe the asset is of community value. Please read the guidance notes we provide you to enable you to complete the form.

We will use the information you provide on the nomination form, to assess whether your nomination meets the requirements of the legislation for designating an asset of community value.

When we receive a nomination we will consider and check its eligibility. We aim to assess nominations within eight weeks of receipt. We will inform the nominating group of the outcome.

If  the asset does have community value we will add it to our list of assets of community value. Assets will remain on the list for five years and a land charge will be registered against the property.

We will advise the nominating group that the asset has been listed and the date in five years time when it will be removed, when the five years have expired eligible groups can submit a new nomination.

If we decide to list a property the owner can ask for a review and there will be a process for an appeal to an independent body. We will provide further details in a letter to the property owner.

If a nomination is ineligible we will write to the nominating group with an explanation as to why it was unsuccessful. In such circumstances the property will be added to our list of assets nominated unsuccessfully and will remain on the list for five years.

Nominees cannot appeal the decision made in respect of the asset.

If an owner of a listed asset wants to sell they will be required to notify us. We will inform the nominator and publicise this on our website.

If an eligible group wants to make a bid they must inform us within six weeks of us telling them that the property is available to purchase. Not all groups are eligible to place a bid.

Unincorporated groups cannot bid as they unable to legally own property.

Eligible groups will then have six months to put together the bid which is not from when you inform us but six months from when the owner advises us of their intention to sell which is known as the moratorium period.

If there is more than one community group interested in purchasing the property we will encourage the groups to work together.

At any point before the end of the six months the eligible group or groups may enter into negotiations with the property owner providing the owner is willing to do this. We ask that we are kept informed of developments.

At the end of the moratorium period if a group has successfully put a bid together the owner will have the option to either accept the bid or sell the property freely on the open market.

In certain situations property sales are exempt from the Community Right to Bid legislation. View the full list of Exempt Disposals. This includes disposals in the form of a gift, disposals within a family or between trustees or companies in a group and disposals in the execution of a will.

If the Council decides that your property should be added to the list of assets of community value and you are dissatisfied with this decision you have the right to request the Council to carry out an internal review of its decision.

Review requests must be received on our prescribed form. To request a form email planning@wealden.gov.uk 

This listing review procedure follows the requirements set out in Schedule 2 of the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations (2012).

In accordance with Regulation 2 (c), Wealden District Council will remove an entry from the list if it is the subject of a successful appeal against listing, or the authority for any reason no longer considers the land to be land of community value.

Any removal of land listed on the Council’s Assets of Community Value (ACV) list will be notified to all parties identified in Regulation 9 and s.91 Localism Act 2011 (‘LA 2011’), generally those originally notified of the nomination and listing.

Who can request the review of an Asset of Community Value listing?

An owner of listed land is the only person specified in the Regulations who can request a listing review. However, the owner may appoint a representative to act on his/her behalf for the review. This representative may be, but does not have to be, legally qualified.

The Council will provide all relevant documents to the representative, but does not have to provide them separately to the owner.

How to request a review of an Asset of Community Value listing

In line with Schedule 2 of the Regulations, a review may be requested by an owner of the listed land in writing within 8 weeks of notice being given, or completion of reasonable steps being taken to give notice, of Wealden District Council’s decision to list land nominated as an asset of community value.

To request a listing review, an owner of the listed land must complete and submit the ACV review request form. The land relating to the review will remain listed while the review takes place.

Who will undertake the review?

A senior officer of the Council who is independent of the ACV decision making process will conduct the review.

Will there be a face to face discussion about the review?

The owner may request an oral hearing. In the event no written request for an oral hearing is received from the owner, then the review will proceed on the basis of written submissions. The reviewing officer may nevertheless decide to hold an oral hearing if they think it will assist in making the decision.

Both the owner and the owner’s representation may make representations to the reviewer orally and / or in writing.

How long will it take for a decision on the review to be reached?

A review decision will be reached by Wealden District Council within 8 weeks of the receipt of the written request for review, unless a longer period is agreed with the owner in writing.

The outcome will be communicated to the land owner or their representative as soon as possible once the decision has been reached.

Notification of decision
The outcome of the review will be sent in writing (usually by email) to the owner or their representative once a final decision has been reached.

Where the outcome of the review results in a change to the listing status of the land reviewed, the Council will also notify those specified in s.91 of the LA 2011.

Can I appeal against the listing review decision?

Yes. In accordance with Regulation 11, if an owner is unhappy with the outcome of the review, they may appeal to the First Tier Tribunal against the local authority’s decision.

Details of how to contact the First Tier Tribunal will be provided as part of notification of the Council’s decision on the listing review.

Emailplanning@wealden.gov.uk 

Telephone: 01892 602509

Address:
Wealden District Council
Community Right to Bid
Council Offices
Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX

RefAsset Name of Land NominatedDescriptionLocationPlan or Map of Nominated Asset AvailableDecision and Listing DateDate Listing ExpiresDate Notification of Intent to DisposePotential BidderFull Moratorium TriggeredFull Moratorium End DateProtected Period
24009Groombridge Recreation Ground, including Cricket Ground and Groombridge Guide HutCommunity BuildingTN3 9QYYAccepted – 30 August 202429 August 2029     
24007Cousley Wood Cricket Pavilion and GroundsCommunity BuildingTN5 6AAYAccepted – 30 August 202429 August 2029     
24004Horse & GroomPublic HouseTN21 9QEYAccepted – 29 August 202428 August 2029     
24006The Bear Inn (formerly known as the Anchor)Public HouseTN7 4AAYAccepted – 7 August 20246 August 2029     
24005White Horse InnPublic HouseBN27 4REYAccepted – 30 July 202429 July 2029     
24003Park WoodPark & GardensBN27 4EPYAccepted – 23 May 202422 May 2029     
24001Union Corner Allotments, HellinglyAllotments YAccepted – 15 March 202414 March 2029
23009Ridgewood Post Office & StoresPost OfficeTN22 5SLYAccepted – 8 December 20237 December 2028     
23008Uckfield Leisure CentreLeisure CentreTN22 1UBYAccepted – 21 November 202320 November 2028     
23007Brecknock ArmsPublic HouseTN3 9BJYAccepted – 15 August 202314 August 2028     
23005Carillon CottageBuildingTN5 6AAYAccepted – 13 June 202312 June 2028     
23004Land at the Horsefield, East Dean Village HallVillage Hall YAccepted – 26 July 202325 April 2028     
23001The PavilionCommunity BuildingsTN5 6TWYAccepted – 3 April 20232 April 2028     
22009The Rose Cottage Inn, AlcistonPublic HouseBN26 6UWYAccepted – 11 October 202210 October 2027     
22008The Blacksmiths Arms, Lewes Road, HallandPublic HouseBN8 6PNYAccepted – 27 September 202226 September 2027     
22007The Kings Head, 1/3 High Street, East HoathlyPublic HouseBN8 6DRYAccepted – 27 September 202226 September 2027     
22006Foresters Arms, The Street, FairwarpPublic HouseTN22 3BPYAccepted – 27 May 202226 May 2027     
22005Cross In Hand InnPublic HouseTN21 0SNYAccepted – 27 May 202226 May 2027     
22004St Georges HallCommunity BuildingTN5 6TBYAccepted – 27 May 202226 May 202717 January 2024YY18 July 202418 July 2025
22003East Hoathly Medical CentreCommunity BuildingBN8 6AEYAccepted – 13 May 202212 May 2027     
22001Ninfield Working Mens Club, Bexhill Road, NinfieldClubTN33 9EEYAccepted – 4 April 202203 April 2027
21011Five Ashes Inn, Five Ashes, MayfieldPublic HouseTN20 6HYYAccepted – 17 December 202116 December 2026     
21010The May Garland Public House, HoramPublic HouseTN21 0LJYAccepted – 17 December 202116 December 2026     
21009Land at Selby Road – behind Oakley Court, UckfieldOpen SpaceTN22 5EBYAccepted – 17 September 202116 September 2026     
21008The Giants Rest, WimingtonPublic HouseBN26 5SQYAccepted – 20 August 202119 August 202617 September 2021NNN/A16 March 2023
21007The Lamb inn, WartlingPublic HouseBN27 1RYY23 July 202122 July 2026     
21006The Dene, UckfieldOpen SpaceTN22 1LAYAccepted – 16 July 202115 July 202620 June 2022YN20 December 202220 December 2023
21005Hailsham East Community CentreCommunity BuildingBN27 2JZYAccepted – 16 July 202115 July 2026     
21004East Hoathly with Halland Garden PlotsAllotmentsBN6 6ELYAccepted – 30 June 202129 June 2026
21003The Merrie Harriers, CowbeechPublic HouseBN27 4JQYAccepted – 20 May 202119 May 202611 December 2023   11 June 2025
21002Mayfield Cricket Ground, MayfieldSport and RecreationTN20 6EAYAccepted 14 May 202113 May 2026     
20011The White Hart Public House, High Street, WadhurstPublic HouseTN5 6APYAccepted – 25 February 202124 February 2026     
20010The Greyhound Public House, St James Square, WadhurstPublic HouseTN5 6APYAccepted – 25 February 202124 February 2026    
20009The Old Vine, Cousley Wood, WadhurstPublic HouseTN5 6ERYAccepted – 25 February 202124 February 2026     
20007The Roebuck Inn, LaughtonPublic HouseTN3 9RBYAccepted – 3 February 20212 February 2026     
20002The Junction Inn, Station Road, GroombridgePublic HouseTN3 9RBYAccepted – 8 April 20207 April 2025     
RefAsset Name of Land NominatedDescriptionLocationPlan or Map of Nominated Asset AvailableDate of Inclusion on ListDate of Removal from List
24008Washwell Lane Car ParkCar ParkTN5 6ANY30 August 202429 August 2029
24002Firstfields Resource Centre and South East Coast Ambulance StationAmbulance StationBN27 3BUY11 April 202410 April 2029
23010Brickmakers ArmsPublic HouseTN22 5TGY15 December 202314 December 2028
23003St Peter and St Paul ChurchPlace of WorshipTN5 6AAY11 April 202310 April 2028
23002Sandy Cross FarmFieldTN21 8HPY31 March 202330 March 2028
22012Co-Op Car ParkCar ParkTN21 8QAY20 January 202319 January 2028
22011Railway Car ParkCar ParkTN21 8QAY20 January 202319 January 2028
22010Land at Marklye LaneFieldTN21 8QAY9 January 20238 January 2028
22002Halland ChapelPlace of WorshipBN8 6PLY13 May 202212 May 2027
21001The Black Duck, WarbletonPublic HouseTN21 9BDY14 May 202113 May 2026
20008Wadhurst Household Waste Recycling Site, Faircrouch Lane, WadhurstFormer Household Waste Recycling SiteTN5 6PTY26 February 202125 February 2026
20006The Glebe Field, Land adjacent to Frant Primary School, Church Lane, FrantFieldTN3 9DXY13 January 202112 January 2026
20005Catts Inn, High Street, RotherfieldPublic HouseTN6 3LHY7 January 20216 January 2026
20004Mark Cross Inn, Mark CrossPublic HouseTN6 3NPY6 January 20215 January 2026
20003The Roebuck Inn, LaughtonPublic SpaceBN8 6BGYNot ApplicableNot Applicable
20001The Dorset Arms, Buckhurst Park, WithyhamPublic House, Restaurant and Bed and BreakfastTN7 4BDY8 April 20207 April 2025
19006Fletching Stores, Fletching, UckfieldVillage Shop and CafeTN22 3SSN29 July 201928 July 2024
19005Horseshoe Inn, Windmill Hill, HerstmonceuxPublic HouseBN27 4RUn6 January 20205 January 2025

Date of Notice: 14 December 2023

ACV Reference: ACV 21003

Location: The Merrie Harriers, Cowbeech

Wealden District Council hereby gives notice that notification was received on 11 December 2023 in accordance with section 95(2) of the Localism Act 2011 that the owner of the above land which is included in the Council’s List of Assets of Community Value wishes to enter into a relevant disposal of the land.

The interim moratorium period of 6 weeks ends 22 January 2024. If a community interest group indicates to the Council in writing that it wishes to be treated as a potential bidder, the full moratorium period will extend until June 11, 2024, and the protected period will end on June 11, 2025.

Any community interest group wishing to be treated as a potential bidder for the above named asset should express their interest by email to the Council at planning@wealden.gov.uk or in writing to Wealden District Council Offices. Vicarage Lane, Hailsham BN27 2AX. 

Date of Notice: 22 December 2023

ACV Reference: ACV 22006

Location: Foresters Arms, The Street, Fairwarp, TN22 3BP

Wealden District Council hereby gives notice that notification was received on 19 December 2023 that in accordance with section 95(2) of the Localism Act 2011 Wealden District Council, the owner of the above land, wishes to enter into a relevant disposal of land which is listed as an asset of community value.

The interim moratorium period of 6 weeks ends on 30 January 2024. If a community interest group indicates to the Council in writing that it wishes to be treated as a potential bidder, the full moratorium period will extend until 19 June 2024, and the protected period will end on 19 June 2025.

Any community interest group wishing to be treated as a potential bidder for the above named asset should write to the Council at planning@wealden.gov.uk or Council Offices,

Date of Notice: 22 January 2024

ACV Reference: ACV 22004

Location: St Georges Hall, Wadhurst

Wealden District Council hereby gives notice that notification was received on 17 January 2024 in accordance with section 95(2) of the Localism Act 2011 that the owner of the above land which is included in the Council’s List of Assets of Community Value wishes to enter into a relevant disposal of the land.

The interim moratorium period of 6 weeks ends on 29 February 2024. If a community interest group indicates to the Council in writing that it wishes to be treated as a potential bidder, the full moratorium period will extend until 18 July 2024, and the protected period will end on 18 July 2025.

Any community interest group wishing to be treated as a potential bidder for the above named asset should express their interest by email to the Council at planning@wealden.gov.uk or in writing to Wealden District Council Offices. Vicarage Lane, Hailsham BN27 2AX.