Pubs most common type of community asset

Community centres, outdoor sports facilities, open spaces and car parks are the next most frequent assets, according to data collected from 134 local planning authorities in England by Development Control Services (DPS).

The survey shows 155 pubs under these councils have been approved as assets, following 189 applications - revealing a pub approval rate of 88%. The average approval rate across all assets is 79%, while pubs make up 36% of all the assets listed.

Three public toilets are some of the more unusual assets to be listed, while a train station, petrol station and five nominations for offices have all been refused under the Act.

Applications​

Of the councils surveyed, 87 had received at least one ACV application. In total, the authorities received 616 applications, made 550 decisions and listed 433 community assets.

DPS has estimated that if this pattern were to be repeated across England’s 326 planning authorities, there would be more than 1,000 assets listed.

The Localism Act 2011’s Community Right to Bid scheme allows local residents to nominate buildings and land as assets of community value. 

It means if the listed building is put up for sale, community groups have up to six months to put in a bid to buy the property. ACV status also gives councils greater ability to refuse planning applications from developers.

The Campaign for Real Ale is looking to increase the number of pubs listed as ACVs to beyond the 400 mark, after it hit its initial target of getting 300 listed is February.