Community Right to Bid

The Community Right to Bid allows local communities to protect important buildings and land. If an asset is listed as having community value and later put up for sale, the community has six months to prepare a bid to buy it. This gives local groups a better chance to save much-loved places such as shops, pubs, or other local facilities.

Who can nominate an asset

The following groups can nominate privately or publicly owned assets if they meet the definition of community value:

• Parish councils
• Local community groups

What qualifies as an asset of community value

A building or land will be listed if:

• its current or recent primary use benefits the community's social wellbeing or social interests (for example, cultural, recreational, or sporting activities) 
• it is realistic to think that, within the next five years, it could continue to be used in a way that benefits the community.

Disposing of a listed asset

If a listed asset is to be sold or leased for more than 25 years, the owner must:

• notify us
• wait six weeks (an "interim moratorium") to see if a community group wants to bid
• wait six months (a "full moratorium") if a community group does express an interest 

Please note: The owner does not have to sell to the community group.

After notifying us, a protected period of 18 months applies, during which no further moratoriums can be imposed.

The process

A decision on whether to list an asset will be made within eight weeks of receiving a nomination.

More details on the process are available in the Government's:

• non-statutory advice note
• regulations 
• explanatory note.

This covers:

• Who can nominate assets
• Land that is exempt from listing (such as primarily residential premises)
• The steps that the council has to take when reviewing and listing assets
• How owners can appeal decisions to list and get compensation on any losses incurred
• Exemptions to the six-month moratorium.

List of assets

• Successful nominations:  List of Assets of Community Value (PDF 242KB)
• Unsuccessful nominations:  List of Unsuccessful Community Nominations (PDF 280KB)

If a property was refused in the last two years, it cannot be nominated again unless significant new information is submitted in support. 

How to nominate an asset of community value

To nominate an asset, complete a  Nomination form (PDF 248KB) and email it to: es-estates@dacorum.gov.uk.

Support and additional considerations

• Further guidance can be found on the My Community website
• If an asset owner applies for a change of use (for example, converting a pub into flats), its community value may influence planning decisions
• Neighbourhood Plans can formally allocate assets for community use
• Our planning policies support the retention of community facilities, including shops, pubs, sports venues, and places of worship.