New homes

North Devon Council hears of the government’s ‘Community Right to Bid’ scheme.

A government scheme could force people to delay selling their own land or buildings for up six months if a ‘community group’ wishes to buy it.

The Community Right to Bid scheme to allow people the right to bid on ‘community assets’ such as land or buildings has been put before North Devon Council.

Communities now have the right to identify properties, whether public or privately owned, they feel are of benefit to the community and be able to make a bid to buy it if the owner decides to sell.

Under the Localism Act 2011, community groups – which include parish councils, charities and unincorporated bodies of 21 named members – can apply to get land or a building listed as a community asset.

When the owner wishes to sell, a group has six weeks to decide if it wants to bid, followed by a further six months to prepare a bid.

At the end of that half year wait, the owner can dispose of the property as they wish. Landowners can also appeal against their property being listed as a community asset.

North Devon Council’s executive committee today (Tuesday) heard a recommendation to agree to develop a ‘Community Right to Bid’ policy for presentation at a future meeting.