Community groups gain right to buy local assets in England
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Apr 30
Community groups gain right to buy local assets in England
5 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 30
The new law gives groups 12 months to raise funds, replacing a six-month right-to-bid system that saw only about 2% of listed assets reach community ownership.
It also broadens which properties qualify, covering long-disused buildings, assets with economic value and sports sites, and lets groups appeal when councils reject community-value listings.
Supporters say it could help projects in Merseyside and Leicestershire, but Locality warns the lapse of the £150m Community Ownership Fund may leave poorer areas unable to use the powers.
England's new 'right to buy' law is here, but with its main fund gone, can communities actually afford to use it?
England's community 'right to buy' law is hailed as a victory, but does it unfairly punish private property owners?