For centuries the public house has played an essential and inherent part of our local communities but has always been at risk of loss.
The closure of a pub may seriously deprive a locality of part of its cultural, social and economic fabric, and can remove the heartbeat of a community. It has been estimated a pub gives an average of £80,000 to a local community.
Not only does it provide an eating, drinking and leisure facility but supports tradesmen such as window cleaners, taxi drivers, roofing contractors, cleaning companies all who spend in the local shops and businesses. In addition they raise thousands for local charities, run sports teams, quizzes, coffee mornings and combat loneliness.
This importance was recognised under the Localism Act 2011 which enabled local facilities to be registered as Assets of Community Value and also be subject to a Community Right to Bid.
The best way to get these registered is to ask your Parish/Town Council to submit an application as individuals cannot do so and these bodies already have credence of representing communities as well as having easy access to the Land Registry requirements.
However....
It is important to get a valued-amenity officially 'registered' BEFORE any threat becomes real., or even known about.
Once plans for change are underway it may be too late so it is important not to delay applications.
Sales can otherwise take place behind closed doors, property developers can move in overnight and even demolishment can take place, all without the local community having any involvement. Many will have seen the terrible illegal demolition of the famous Crooked House on the national news.
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An Asset of Community Value is defined as:
A building or other land is an asset of community value if its main use has recently been or is presently used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community and could do so in the future.
'My Community' (now 'Locality') says:
In neighbourhoods across the country there are buildings and amenities that are integral to the communities that use them. This could be a village shop, a pub, a community centre or a library for example. Many provide a base from which to deliver public services to the local community. The closure or sale of such buildings and amenities can create lasting damage in communities and threaten the provision of services.
Assets of Community Value and the Community Right to Bid offers greater opportunity for communities to keep such buildings in public use and ensure they remain a social hub for the community.
The recognised best way to have an asset registered is through the Parish/Town Council as they already have the status of being an elected body, representing the community. Individuals cannot apply.
Where the Council has other planning policies, perhaps through a Neighbourhood Plan, they may have their own commitments to retention of community assets included, strengthening their input.
In the north Nampshire area several Parish Councils have taken such steps.
Over 2000 pubs have been listed
Since 2012 over 2,000 pubs have been registered as ACVs meaning that should they be put up for sale for possible development the community will be notified and given the first opportunity to submit a bid – the Community Right to Bid.
In addition a listing can also be an important consideration in deciding the outcome of a planning application for change of use, which could prevent planning permission being granted and save the pub!
A local success
Locally, the Plough Inn at Longparish was listed as an ACV and it helped the village community and the Parish Council to prevent loss of the pub to housing development.
A community group raised funds to purchase the Plough and it is now a lively thriving centre of village life, and attracts visitors from afar.
Similar aims have taken places at other pubs and there are ongoing efforts to retain the Red House in Whitchurch and to have other pubs in the community registered.
Wide ranging
It is not just pubs that can be registered.
Other amenities that can be added to the Register include community halls, shops, allotments, swimming pools, public toilets and open spaces, as well as many other facilities deemed of value to a local community.
Further information on ACVs can be found here:
MY COMMUNITY
PLANNING AID
PLUNKETT FOUNDATION
CAMRA and ACVs
