In neighbourhoods across the country there are buildings and areas of land that are important to the communities that use them, such as village shops, village greens, pubs, community centres and libraries.
The Localism Act allows local groups to nominate buildings and land that they consider are of value to the community, to be included on a list of assets of community value.
If an asset on the list is put up for sale, community groups are given an opportunity to express an interest in buying it. That will trigger a six month period during which they can raise funds and make an offer to the owner.
The list of assets of community value is maintained by the council. If we decide to list a building or area of land as an asset of community value, this does not mean that the owner is forced to sell it, or to keep it open for the public to use. However, if the owner does decide to sell, local group can pause the sale for up to six months in order to organise a bid to buy it. At the end of the six months, the owner may decide to sell the asset to a community group, or to another bidder or to withdraw it from sale. Listing a building or area of land provides time for local people to raise funds, but it cannot force the owner to sell an asset to a community group.
View the Community Right to Bid (PDF, 33KB)
Nominating a building or area of land
The first step is to nominate the building or area of land you'd be interested in bidding for as an asset of community value using the nomination form.
Assets of Community Value Nomination form
If we consider that the nominated site meets the tests set out in the legislation, we will include it on the list. Assets are removed from the list after period of five years. For more information on the community right to bid, visit GOV.UK.
Buildings and land that are included on the list
We've listed these buildings and areas of land as assets of community value:
| Building or facility | Location | Nominated by | Date included on list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land to the north-east of Dungeness (PDF, 408KB) | Land west of Coast Drive, between Kerton Road and Battery Road | Lydd Town Council | 17 March 2025
|
| Folkestone Sports Centre (PDF, 290KB) | Radnor Park Avenue, Folkestone | Save Folkestone Sports Centre | 21/10/2024 |
| Littlestone Warren Golf Club clubhouse (PDF,395KB) | St. Andrews Road, Littlestone, New Romney | The Friends of Romney Warren | 25 August 2024 |
| Stelling Minnis Windmill and Museum (PDF, 423KB) | Mill Lane, Stelling Minnis | Stelling Minnis Parish Council | 10 March 2024 |
| Timber Batts Inn (PDF, 329KB) | School Hill, Bodsham, Ashford | Elmsted Parish Council | 7 August 2023 |
| Folkestone Library (PDF, 122KB) | Grace Hill, Folkestone | New Folkestone Society | 17 July 2023 |
| The Church Room, Burmarsh (PDF, 389KB) | Church Road, Burmarsh, Romney Marsh | Burmarsh Parish Council | 23 August 2021 |
Update on Folkestone Library
The district council received notice on 7 March 2025 from the landowners, Kent County Council, that they wish to sell the site. This triggers a six-week initial moratorium period to allow community groups time to express an interest in buying the site. If any suitably qualifying community group wishes to express an interest in buying the site, they should write to the district council. Notice must be received by 11.55pm on 18 April 2025. Expressions of interest should be sent by email to planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or by letter to Planning Policy Team, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY.
Unsuccessful nominations
There are no pending nominations.