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.
Email: planning@wealden.gov.uk
Telephone: 01892 602509
Address:
Wealden District Council
Community Right to Bid
Council Offices
Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX
| Ref | Asset Name of Land Nominated | Description | Location | Plan or Map of Nominated Asset Available | Decision and Listing Date | Date Listing Expires | Date Notification of Intent to Dispose | Potential Bidder | Full Moratorium Triggered | Full Moratorium End Date | Protected Period |
| 24011 | Oakleaf Play Area | Playspace | BN26 6PT | Y | Accepted – 24 September 2024 | 23 September 2029 | |||||
| 24009 | Groombridge Recreation Ground, including Cricket Ground and Groombridge Guide Hut | Community Building | TN3 9QY | Y | Accepted – 30 August 2024 | 29 August 2029 | |||||
| 24007 | Cousley Wood Cricket Pavilion and Grounds | Community Building | TN5 6AA | Y | Accepted – 30 August 2024 | 29 August 2029 | |||||
| 24004 | Horse & Groom | Public House | TN21 9QE | Y | Accepted – 29 August 2024 | 28 August 2029 | |||||
| 24006 | The Bear Inn (formerly known as the Anchor) | Public House | TN7 4AA | Y | Accepted – 7 August 2024 | 6 August 2029 | |||||
| 24005 | White Horse Inn | Public House | BN27 4RE | Y | Accepted – 30 July 2024 | 29 July 2029 | |||||
| 24003 | Park Wood | Park & Gardens | BN27 4EP | Y | Accepted – 23 May 2024 | 22 May 2029 | |||||
| 24001 | Union Corner Allotments, Hellingly | Allotments | Y | Accepted – 15 March 2024 | 14 March 2029 | ||||||
| 23009 | Ridgewood Post Office & Stores | Post Office | TN22 5SL | Y | Accepted – 8 December 2023 | 7 December 2028 | |||||
| 23008 | Uckfield Leisure Centre | Leisure Centre | TN22 1UB | Y | Accepted – 21 November 2023 | 20 November 2028 | |||||
| 23007 | Brecknock Arms | Public House | TN3 9BJ | Y | Accepted – 15 August 2023 | 14 August 2028 | |||||
| 23005 | Carillon Cottage | Building | TN5 6AA | Y | Accepted – 13 June 2023 | 12 June 2028 | |||||
| 23004 | Land at the Horsefield, East Dean Village Hall | Village Hall | Y | Accepted – 26 July 2023 | 25 April 2028 | ||||||
| 23001 | The Pavilion | Community Buildings | TN5 6TW | Y | Accepted – 3 April 2023 | 2 April 2028 | |||||
| 22009 | The Rose Cottage Inn, Alciston | Public House | BN26 6UW | Y | Accepted – 11 October 2022 | 10 October 2027 | |||||
| 22008 | The Blacksmiths Arms, Lewes Road, Halland | Public House | BN8 6PN | Y | Accepted – 27 September 2022 | 26 September 2027 | |||||
| 22007 | The Kings Head, 1/3 High Street, East Hoathly | Public House | BN8 6DR | Y | Accepted – 27 September 2022 | 26 September 2027 | |||||
| 22006 | Foresters Arms, The Street, Fairwarp | Public House | TN22 3BP | Y | Accepted – 27 May 2022 | 26 May 2027 | |||||
| 22005 | Cross In Hand Inn | Public House | TN21 0SN | Y | Accepted – 27 May 2022 | 26 May 2027 | |||||
| 22004 | St Georges Hall | Community Building | TN5 6TB | Y | Accepted – 27 May 2022 | 26 May 2027 | 17 January 2024 | Y | Y | 18 July 2024 | 18 July 2025 |
| 22003 | East Hoathly Medical Centre | Community Building | BN8 6AE | Y | Accepted – 13 May 2022 | 12 May 2027 | |||||
| 22001 | Ninfield Working Mens Club, Bexhill Road, Ninfield | Club | TN33 9EE | Y | Accepted – 4 April 2022 | 03 April 2027 | |||||
| 21011 | Five Ashes Inn, Five Ashes, Mayfield | Public House | TN20 6HY | Y | Accepted – 17 December 2021 | 16 December 2026 | |||||
| 21010 | The May Garland Public House, Horam | Public House | TN21 0LJ | Y | Accepted – 17 December 2021 | 16 December 2026 | |||||
| 21009 | Land at Selby Road – behind Oakley Court, Uckfield | Open Space | TN22 5EB | Y | Accepted – 17 September 2021 | 16 September 2026 | |||||
| 21008 | The Giants Rest, Wimington | Public House | BN26 5SQ | Y | Accepted – 20 August 2021 | 19 August 2026 | 17 September 2021 | N | N | N/A | 16 March 2023 |
| 21007 | The Lamb inn, Wartling | Public House | BN27 1RY | Y | 23 July 2021 | 22 July 2026 | |||||
| 21006 | The Dene, Uckfield | Open Space | TN22 1LA | Y | Accepted – 16 July 2021 | 15 July 2026 | 20 June 2022 | Y | N | 20 December 2022 | 20 December 2023 |
| 21005 | Hailsham East Community Centre | Community Building | BN27 2JZ | Y | Accepted – 16 July 2021 | 15 July 2026 | |||||
| 21004 | East Hoathly with Halland Garden Plots | Allotments | BN6 6EL | Y | Accepted – 30 June 2021 | 29 June 2026 | |||||
| 21003 | The Merrie Harriers, Cowbeech | Public House | BN27 4JQ | Y | Accepted – 20 May 2021 | 19 May 2026 | 11 December 2023 | 11 June 2025 | |||
| 21002 | Mayfield Cricket Ground, Mayfield | Sport and Recreation | TN20 6EA | Y | Accepted 14 May 2021 | 13 May 2026 | |||||
| 20011 | The White Hart Public House, High Street, Wadhurst | Public House | TN5 6AP | Y | Accepted – 25 February 2021 | 24 February 2026 | |||||
| 20010 | The Greyhound Public House, St James Square, Wadhurst | Public House | TN5 6AP | Y | Accepted – 25 February 2021 | 24 February 2026 | |||||
| 20009 | The Old Vine, Cousley Wood, Wadhurst | Public House | TN5 6ER | Y | Accepted – 25 February 2021 | 24 February 2026 | |||||
| 20007 | The Roebuck Inn, Laughton | Public House | TN3 9RB | Y | Accepted – 3 February 2021 | 2 February 2026 | |||||
| 20002 | The Junction Inn, Station Road, Groombridge | Public House | TN3 9RB | Y | Accepted – 8 April 2020 | 7 April 2025 |
| Ref | Asset Name of Land Nominated | Description | Location | Plan or Map of Nominated Asset Available | Date of Inclusion on List | Date of Removal from List |
| 24008 | Washwell Lane Car Park | Car Park | TN5 6AN | Y | 30 August 2024 | 29 August 2029 |
| 24002 | Firstfields Resource Centre and South East Coast Ambulance Station | Ambulance Station | BN27 3BU | Y | 11 April 2024 | 10 April 2029 |
| 23010 | Brickmakers Arms | Public House | TN22 5TG | Y | 15 December 2023 | 14 December 2028 |
| 23003 | St Peter and St Paul Church | Place of Worship | TN5 6AA | Y | 11 April 2023 | 10 April 2028 |
| 23002 | Sandy Cross Farm | Field | TN21 8HP | Y | 31 March 2023 | 30 March 2028 |
| 22012 | Co-Op Car Park | Car Park | TN21 8QA | Y | 20 January 2023 | 19 January 2028 |
| 22011 | Railway Car Park | Car Park | TN21 8QA | Y | 20 January 2023 | 19 January 2028 |
| 22010 | Land at Marklye Lane | Field | TN21 8QA | Y | 9 January 2023 | 8 January 2028 |
| 22002 | Halland Chapel | Place of Worship | BN8 6PL | Y | 13 May 2022 | 12 May 2027 |
| 21001 | The Black Duck, Warbleton | Public House | TN21 9BD | Y | 14 May 2021 | 13 May 2026 |
| 20008 | Wadhurst Household Waste Recycling Site, Faircrouch Lane, Wadhurst | Former Household Waste Recycling Site | TN5 6PT | Y | 26 February 2021 | 25 February 2026 |
| 20006 | The Glebe Field, Land adjacent to Frant Primary School, Church Lane, Frant | Field | TN3 9DX | Y | 13 January 2021 | 12 January 2026 |
| 20005 | Catts Inn, High Street, Rotherfield | Public House | TN6 3LH | Y | 7 January 2021 | 6 January 2026 |
| 20004 | Mark Cross Inn, Mark Cross | Public House | TN6 3NP | Y | 6 January 2021 | 5 January 2026 |
| 20003 | The Roebuck Inn, Laughton | Public Space | BN8 6BG | Y | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| 20001 | The Dorset Arms, Buckhurst Park, Withyham | Public House, Restaurant and Bed and Breakfast | TN7 4BD | Y | 8 April 2020 | 7 April 2025 |
| 19006 | Fletching Stores, Fletching, Uckfield | Village Shop and Cafe | TN22 3SS | N | 29 July 2019 | 28 July 2024 |
| 19005 | Horseshoe Inn, Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux | Public House | BN27 4RU | n | 6 January 2020 | 5 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.