Bath and North East Somerset Council has added the Combe Down allotments site in Bath to its list of Assets of Community Value following a successful nomination by a group of residents.
The application was submitted by the Unincorporated Friends of Combe Down Allotments.
Although the owner of an Asset of Community Value (ACV) is free to sell to any buyer of their choice, they cannot dispose of it without:
- Waiting until the end of a six week ‘interim moratorium’ period in which community interest groups or any other buyers can request that the council treats them as a potential bidder
- Waiting until the end of a six month ‘full moratorium’ period if the council does receive such a request
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “This land has significant social value for the community. We know that the current occupiers of the plots live in the local area and there are several schools and community organisations which use the allotment space for social projects and learning experiences.
“Listing the site as an Asset of Community Value will give community interest groups the chance to make a bid should the site become available to buy.”