Guidance for Local Communities

The Localism Act 2011 states that:

'a building or other land in a local authority's area is land of community value if in the opinion of the authority:

• an actual current use of the building or other land that is not an ancillary use furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community, and
• it is realistic to think that there can continue to be non-ancillary use of the building or other land which will further (whether in the same way or not) the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

or

• there is a time in the recent past when an actual use of the building or other land that was not an ancillary use furthered the social wellbeing or interests of the local community, and
• it is realistic to think that there is a time in the next five years when there could be non-ancillary use of the building or other land that would further (whether in the same way as before or not) the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

The definition of 'social interests' in the Act includes cultural, recreational and sporting interests.

Realistic continued or future use of the asset will be assessed on the commercial viability of the proposal (including the ability to raise funds) and the sustainability of that use. The nomination form provides details of the information required to support a realistic continued or future use. It is for the nominating group to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate this.