A community asset is a concept introduced under the Localism Act 2011. It gives local community groups the ability to nominate buildings or land that can be shown to have a particular value to the local community.
If it is proposed to sell a building or land that has been listed as a community asset, the local community that has had it listed are entitled to bid for the property, and are given six months to prepare a bid. But they have no better right than another bidder to buy it. The sale is otherwise subject to market forces. Under the Community Assets and Services Fund a total of £3.25 million was available in grants in the last year. However this figure covers all of England and Wales.
Clearly there are a few enterprising people out there, because on the list of assets listed in Lambeth in 2013 are seven properties, including the George IV on Brixton Hill (now closed, and with yet another Tesco apparently in the offing); and in Southwark seven more, with no fewer than three pubs (or former pubs, but not including our own dear Half Moon). The listing of pubs is encouraged by CAMRA, as it costs nothing – but whether there are many community groups with the necessary skills or ambition to run a pub is another matter.
The continued closure of the Half Moon pub in Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, following major flood damage in August 2103, has caused some to ask whether the scheme could be used to safeguard what is clearly a valuable local asset. The Herne Hill Society is not aware of any plans for permanent closure and understands that the delay arises from the many practical problems in restoring a listed building. However, the closure remains a matter of real concern.
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