Use this page to learn about registering an Asset of Community Value (ACV). Assets of Community value are places and spaces that are important to the local community. Registered assets include shops, pubs and community halls.
Only eligible groups, such as Parish Councils and residents groups, can apply to register an asset.
About eligible groups
To be eligible to register an ACV, groups must:
- have a local connection to the property they wish to nominate (this means that its activities are wholly or partly concerned with Bath and North East Somerset)
- be one or more of the following:
- A neighbourhood forum
- A parish council
- An unincorporated body whose members include at least 21 individuals, and which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
- A charity
- A company limited by guarantee which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members
- An a co-operative or community benefit society which does not distribute any surplus it makes to its members. A co-operative or community benefit society means a registered society within the meaning given by section 1(1) of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, other than a society registered as a credit union.
- A community interest company
How to nominate an Asset of Community Value
A nomination must include:
- address of the property
- details of the owner and current occupants
- the extent of the site and its proposed boundaries
- why you feel it is an asset of community value.
You must also provide evidence of your eligibility to nominate.
Apply to nominate an asset of community value
What happens when an asset is nominated
Once the completed nomination form as been received, we will check:
- the eligibility of the nomination
- the group making the nomination
- the completeness of the information supplied
- that the asset is not in an excluded category
We will take all practicable steps to notify the owner and lawful occupants that the asset is being considered for listing as an ACV.
We decide whether or not to list the asset within eight weeks of the nomination.
We will tell the group that nominated the asset if the application was successful, and if it was not successful we'll try to explain why.
Adding ACVs to the register
Assets that are considered to be of community value will then be added to the List of Assets of Community Value.
All assets will remain on the list for five years. When the five years have expired, an eligible group can submit a new nomination.
Decisions as to whether the nominated assets are of community value will be made by an officer group.
Appeal process
If a property is listed, the property owner can ask for a review and there will be a process for an appeal.
The legislation does note allow nominators to appeal the decision made in respect of their nomination.
Buying and selling an ACV
Once an asset is listed, the owner cannot dispose of it without letting us know that they intend to sell the asset or grant a lease of more than 25 years. They must inform us by email connecting_communities@bathnes.gov.uk.
If an eligible group wants to buy the asset, they will need to register their interest within 6 weeks from the date of the notice to sell. Eligible groups must complete the Expression of Interest form. If an eligible group applies to bid, we will notify the owner that that the full moratorium period has been triggered. This lasts for 6 months during which time the owner is unable to sell the asset.
Download the expression of interest form
The asset of community value listing only improves the chances of eligible groups being able to purchase by providing more time to raise funds. The owner does not have to sell to a community group.