The Heritage Alliance was one of four heritage organisations to attend a Government round table on community assets. The meeting was very positive and was attended by a representative from 10 Downing Street. Attendees examined what more can be done to remove barriers to using community asset legislation to help save heritage structures. There is a useful House of Commons library Briefing note which gives an over view of the Asset of Community Value (ACV) system.
We are especially interested in how ACV status might be used in relation to buildings on Historic England’s ‘at risk list’. Key problems with using the existing legislation to protect buildings on the ‘at risk’ list are the requirements that ACVs must have been in recent community use and have a realistic prospect of such future use. It is often difficult for buildings on the at-risk list to meet these requirements as disrepair is generally due to being unused for a long time.
A more general issue with ACV system is the demolition of unlisted heritage assets under permitted development rights before a community can rally round and nominate a building as an ACV – which requires a formally set up local group. Another hurdle is the lack of independent valuation when the asset comes up for sale. If you have suggestions you’d like to feed into this work please email policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk.