Assets of community value

What is the community right to bid?

The community right to bid was introduced by Chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Localism Act 2011 (LA 2011) to enable local community groups to nominate buildings or land for listing by the local authority as assets of community value. When buildings or land listed as assets of community value come up for sale or change ownership, a moratorium on the sale of up to six months can be invoked, providing local community groups with an opportunity to bid to buy the asset on the open market.

Importantly, there is no right for the community to buy the

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Planning News

Welsh Government issues building regulations circular on gigabit-ready housing requirements

The Welsh Government has published Building Regulations Circular WGC 001/2025 announcing the Building etc. (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2025, which will come into force on 1 July 2025. The regulations mandate gigabit-ready infrastructure and connections for new dwellings in Wales, with a £2,000 cost cap per dwelling. The amendments introduce new requirements 'RA1' and 'RA2' in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010, supported by new 'Approved Document R Volumes 1 and 2'. Transitional provisions will apply to building work where notices were given or plans were deposited before the regulations' commencement, on condition that the work starts within 12 months of implementation.

Court of Appeal rules EMF impact as material consideration in telecom development prior approval (Thomas v Cheltenham Borough Council)

Planning analysis: The Court of Appeal held that the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from a proposed electronic communications development could be taken into account as a material consideration in an application for prior approval. In doing so, it considered the scope of paragraph 118 of the 2021 version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The judgment is a useful reminder of: the circumstances in which a successful litigant in an earlier High Court challenge can bring an appeal to the Court of Appeal; the impact of section 31(2A) of the Senior Courts Act on the determination of a challenge for judicial review; and the correct approach to be taken when a decision by a public body is challenged for an alleged failure to take into account material considerations. Written by Sarah Sutherland, practice development lawyer at Burges Salmon LLP.

NESO to conduct Strategic Environmental Assessment for future network designs

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has announced plans to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment as part of its strategic energy planning works for future network designs. Following the publication of the Pathway to 2030 and Beyond 2030 reports, which outline a Holistic Network Design for coordinating offshore electricity generation, NESO will undertake further work to develop an implementation plan for these designs. To support the Holistic Network Design, NESO will conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment, which will be undertaken by consultants RPS, to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into its final network design recommendations. NESO will also conduct a Habitats Regulations Assessment and a Marine Conservation Zone Assessment over the next twelve months.

HSE publishes four guidance documents on higher-risk buildings

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published four guidance documents on higher-risk buildings (HRBs). The first document explains how to apply for building control approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for constructing or carrying out building work on HRBs. The second document aims to assist applicants in preparing the required information for building control approval applications. The third document outlines the steps to follow before making changes to an HRB project that has already been approved by the BSR. The fourth document provides guidance on applying for a full or partial completion certificate once building work on an HRB has been completed. In addition, the HSE has updated its guidance on managing building control applications, providing more information about the service used to apply for and manage applications.