If an owner wants to sell a property that has been listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), then they must notify us that they want to do so. This includes granting a lease on the property of more than 25 years.
There are also a number of situations when they don’t have to tell us, or the steps set out below do not apply. These situations are covered more detail in the government advice note and the Localism Act 2011.
After we are notified
When we receive notification from the owner this triggers an initial period of 6 weeks during which the owner can only sell to a local community group. We will write to the parish council (where relevant) and the group that applied for the property to be an ACV.
Within the 6 week period, a local constituted/incorporated community group can ask for that initial period to be extended to 6 months. This gives the group the chance to talk to the owner about purchasing the property and raise the money to do so.
During that 6 month period the owner can only sell the property to a local group (unless it is one of the exceptions set out in the legislation). The owner is not obliged to sell to a local group and can just wait for 6 months and sell it to whoever they want.
We will publish a list of any properties where we have been told that the owner wishes to sell them
Properties for sale
The Cabinet PH (The Spice Cabinet), High Street, Reed, Royston, Herts. SG8 8AH
Following the listing, on 20 August 2024 the landowner has confirmed their intention to sell the site (this includes granting a lease on the property of more than 25 years) and therefore this triggers the interim six-week moratorium period (exemptions notwithstanding), commencing on the day the landowner confirmed their intentions. North Herts Council is required to publicise this locally.
Any potential Community Group bidder is therefore requested to contact North Herts Council using the AOCV@north-herts.gov.uk email regarding the above.
The interim moratorium period will run from 13 December 2024 to 24 January 2025 inclusive and any requests must be received within this period.
The full moratorium (if triggered) would run for six months from 13 December 2024 and conclude on 12 June 2025 (inclusive).