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
The Bird in Hand Public House-Hotel, Beck Row 20 March 2019 15 May 2019
The Bull Public House, Troston
 
  • Initial nomination received: 18 September 2018
  • Accepted and listed as an Asset of Community Value: 9 October 2018
  • Called in for scrutiny by owner due to administrative error: 20 December 2018
  • Accepted as an Asset of Community Value: 20 February 2019
  • Review requested by owner: 10 April 2019
  • Review decision remain as an asset: 14 June 2019
  • Six week moratorium period triggered on 24 June 2019, expires 5 August 2019
 18 September 2018 14 June 2019
Earlsfield – Public Open Spaces, RAF Lakenheath, IP27 9QP
  • Title no. SK250587 – Land only on west side of Radcliffe Road, Eriswell including Central Park Earlsfield and Pine Close
  • Title no. 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 no. SK327101 – Part list ground floor premises only
  • Please note; the part listing excludes the flat accommodation with external access at the above premises.
 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
The Greyhound Inn, Flempton
  • No application to bid - property now to be sold on the open market without restriction.
 4 December 2017 2 February 2018
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 no. SK122881 - Marquis of Cornwallis, The Street, Chedburgh, Bury St Edmunds (IP29 4UH)
  • Title no. SK370794 – Land on the east side of The Street, Chedburgh, Bury St Edmunds
 14 December 2021 25 January 2022 to 24 January 2026
Oak Community Woodland (site 2903, Woodland adjacent to Rougham Hill Lorry Park) 3 February 2016 30 March 2016
The Royal British Legion Hall, Kedington, Haverhill Road, Kedington CB9 7NR  7 May 2021 18 June 2021 to 17 June 2026
The Shed, Jarman Lane West Row, IP28 8NU

 

  • Title no. 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
Solstice House (previously Fox and Hounds pub) Felsham Road, Bradfield St George 1 April 2014 6 May 2014
Solstice House (previously Fox and Hounds pub) Felsham Road, Bradfield St George - Relisted 8 April 2019 28 May 2019

Stoke Stores, The Street, Stoke by Clare, Suffolk CO10 8HP

 8 December 2020 4 December 2021 to 3 December 2026
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

Land and buildings removed from the register

Name of asset Date removed from register
Doric Cinema, 146/146A High Street, Newmarket 30 April 2018
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