Community right to challenge

A voluntary or community group can 'express an interest' or bid to run services that are provided by the local authority where they feel they can do so differently and better. For a full details of what voluntary and community groups are defined as in this instance, read GOV.UK - Community right to challenge, sections 1.4 to 1.15

The government guidance notes provides detailed information about:

services that groups and communities can express an interest in bidding for
when expressions of interest can be made
what information you need in order to express an interest
on what grounds an expression of interest may be rejected
amending an expression of interest
the procurement process

The website My Community also provides further information about how community groups can get involved in the running of services.

Submitting an expression of interest

If you want to submit an expression of interest, contact our Legal team.

Community right to bid

This allows community groups an opportunity to organise a bid to purchase important local land or buildings if they are for sale. The first step in the community right to bid process is that local groups or parish councils need to nominate buildings or land as 'assets of community value.'

If any of these assets of community value come up for sale, the community can request a 'moratorium' on the sale. This essentially means there is a pause in the sale process until the community can pull together enough financial or business support in order to buy the asset. The moratorium period is usually six months.

The government policy notes provides an overview of the community right to bid.

The website My Community - Understanding the Community Right to Bid) also provides more information about this and also offers support and advice should your community decide to bid for an asset.

Submitting a bid

If you want to submit a bid, please complete the online Community Right to Bid nomination form

For more information contact our Shared Legal team at legal.litigation@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Nominations accepted as a community asset

Name of nomination	Date nomination received	Date listed as an asset
Earlsfield – public open spaces, RAF Lakenheath, IP27 9QP Title number SK250587 – land only on west side of Radcliffe Road, Eriswell including Central Park Earlsfield and Pine Close Title number SK191338 – land on the north side of Ash Close RAF Lakenheath, Brandon	27 October 2021	13 December 2021 to 12 December 2026
Former Post Office building, 21 High Street Ixworth, IP31 2HH Title number SK327101 – part list ground floor premises only Please note; the part listing excludes the flat accommodation with external access at the above premises. Review requested by owner: 16 August 2022. Review decision upheld to remain as an asset: 18 October 2022. Six-week moratorium period triggered 16 August 2022 expired 27 September 2022.	6 June 2022	19 July 2022 to 18 July 2027
Judes Ferry Inn, Ferry Road, West Row, Suffolk, IP28 8PT	8 December 2020	4 December 2021 to 3 December 2026
Mildenhall Dome Sports Centre and Playing Fields Bury Road, Mildenhall IP28 7HT Title number SK318736 – part listing of freehold land and premises for The Dome Sports Centre and Playing Field only. Six-week moratorium period triggered on 1 July 2024, expired 8 August 2024.	3 March 2023	19 April 2023 to 18 April 2028
Stoke Stores, The Street, Stoke by Clare, Suffolk CO10 8HP	8 December 2020	4 December 2021 to 3 December 2026
The Cock, The Street, Little Thurlow, CB9 7LA Title number SK123520 (Freehold) – land and premises at The Cock, The Street, Little Thurlow, CB9 7LA. Title number SK347858 – transfer of rights reserved within the property boundary.	2 June 2023	25 July 2023 to 24 April 2028
The Lion Public House and Restaurant, The Street, Stoke by Clare, CO10 8HP	8 December 2020	4 December 2021 to 3 December 2026
The Marquis of Cornwallis Public House and associated land, The Street, Chedburgh, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 4UH Title number SK122881 - Marquis of Cornwallis, The Street, Chedburgh, Bury St Edmunds (IP29 4UH) Title number SK370794 – land on the east side of The Street, Chedburgh, Bury St Edmunds	14 December 2021	25 January 2022 to 24 January 2026
The Red Lion, School Road, Great Wratting, Suffolk, CB9 7HA Title No. SK357165 – Land and Premises only	25 July 2024	11 September 2024 to 9 September 2029
The Royal British Legion Hall, Kedington, Haverhill Road, Kedington CB9 7NR	7 May 2021	18 June 2021 to 17 June 2026
The Royal George Church Road, Barningham, IP31 1DD Title number SK122169 – land and premises only	25 June 2024	27 July 2024 to 26 June 2029
The Shed, Jarman Lane West Row, IP28 8NU Title number SK394135 (Leasehold) – land at Jarman’s Lane, West Row Title plan – P48 (Freehold) – land on the south side of Jarman’s Lane, West Row	31 January 2021	11 March 2022 to 10 March 2026
The Swan Inn, Coney Weston, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 1DN Title No. SK1144683 (Freehold) – The Swan Inn, Coney Weston Title Plan. SK268156 (Leasehold) – Land at The Swan Public House Six-week moratorium triggered on 17 October 2024, expires 11 November 2024. Intention to bid received – moratorium period to expire 30 March 2025.	29 July 2024	17 September 2024 to 16 September 2029
The White Horse, Hopton Road, Thelnetham IP22 1JN Six week moratorium period triggered on 9 March 2021, expired 20 April 2021. Intention to bid received - moratorium period to expire 20 October 2021	8 February 2021	2 March 2021 to 1 March 2026
The White Swan Public House, 2 Oxford Street, Exning, CB8 7EW Title number SK114074 – land and premises only	22 May 2024	20 June 2024 to 19 June 2029
West Row Village Hall, West Row, Chapel Road, West Row IP28 8NY Title No. SK357165 – Freehold Land and Premises for the south side of Beeches Road, West Row, IP28 8NY	25 July 2024	11 September 2024 to 9 September 2029

Land and buildings removed from the register

Name of asset	Date removed from register
Doric Cinema, 146/146A High Street, Newmarket	30 April 2018
Oak Community Woodland (site 2903, Woodland adjacent to Rougham Hill Lorry Park)	29 March 2021
The Swan Inn, Thetford Road, Coney Weston, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 1DN	18 October 2022
The Crown and Castle Public House	18 October 2022
Weeping Willow, 39 Bury Road, Barrow, IP29 5DE	18 October 2022
The Cock, Little Thurlow, Haverhill, CB9 7LA	18 October 2022
Bennet Arms Public House, 1 Kingshall Street, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9LH	18 October 2022
Beehive, Horringer, IP29 5SN	18 October 2022
The Greyhound Inn, Flempton	16 March 2023
The Swan Inn, Coney Weston, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 1DN	11 May 2023 in accordance with section 88 of the Localism Act 2011
The Bird in Hand Public House-Hotel, Beck Row	15 May 2024
Solstice House (previously Fox and Hounds pub) Felsham Road, Bradfield St George - Relisted	27 May 2024
The Bull Public House, Troston	24 June 2024