14/03/2025
Briefing: The Community Right to Buy
The Government’s English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill includes a major reform: replacing the Community Right to Bid with a new and much stronger Community Right to Buy.
This change is designed to help local people take control of pubs, shops, sports grounds and other facilities that matter to them. For the first time, when a listed community asset comes up for sale, community groups will have a legal right of first refusal to purchase it at a fair market price. This is an opportunity for communities to proactively invest in themselves, whilst opening the door to new partnerships and proactive inward investment.
In this briefing, the CFPI looks at what the new Right to Buy could mean for communities, and what more is needed to make sure it delivers real results.
A process that hasn’t worked
Since the 2011 Localism Act, parish councils, voluntary groups, and other local organisations have been able to nominate “assets of community value” (ACVs) – those which have a local social, cultural, or economic value.
Councils then decide whether to list a property for five years. Listing does not stop an owner from selling or using the property, but will trigger a moratorium if the asset comes up for sale, giving local groups time to prepare a bid.
But in practice, very few communities have bought assets through the Right to Bid.
That’s because the old system had a big flaw: owners were never required to sell to the community. Even if a group raised the money, the owner could simply choose to sell elsewhere.
The result is that too many valued places – from pubs and post offices, to public toilets and football grounds – have been lost, and local groups have been left frustrated, unable to deliver the improvements their community needs.
Why the Bill matters for communities
The new Right to Buy is designed to fix those weaknesses and give communities a genuine opportunity to invest in their .
A real right to purchase – Owners of listed assets must give first refusal to the community, not just the right to compete.
Fair pricing – If a price cannot be agreed, an independent valuer will set it.
More time – Groups will have up to 12 months to raise the money and complete the purchase, compared with 6 months now.
Wider scope – Assets can be listed even if they haven’t been used recently, making it easier to save long-vacant or at-risk buildings. Sports grounds will be automatically considered for listing and stay on the list indefinitely.
Stronger voice for communities – Local groups will be able to appeal if councils refuse to list an asset.
The opportunities
If delivered well, the reforms could transform community ownership. More pubs, sports grounds, shops, and cultural venues could stay open and thrive.
The new Right could also unlock investment and regeneration:
Partnerships with private investors – Communities can team up with ethical investors, social enterprises, or local businesses to redevelop assets while keeping ownership local.
New income streams – Community-owned spaces can host cafés, co-working hubs, or cultural events, generating revenue to reinvest locally.
Regeneration at scale – Larger or derelict sites could be redeveloped sustainably, bringing jobs and activity back to the high street or local neighbourhoods.
However, challenges and questions remain:
Funding gaps – Community groups will still benefit from grants, loans, or partner investment.
Council capacity – Local authorities take on the organisation of new duties for valuations, monitoring, and appeals.
Balancing interests – Investor partnerships must protect community control
What’s next?
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is currently moving through Parliament, with debates and committee stages set to take place over the coming months. Communities, councils, charities and businesses all have a chance to get involved and make their voices heard as the Bill is shaped and finalised.
The Bill is now moving through Parliament. How it works in practice will depend on:
Funding opportunities or access to capital, to support communities and partnerships.
Guidance on valuations, notifications, and progress monitoring.
Regulations on exemptions from first refusal.
CFPI will continue to track developments and press for a system that gives communities legal powers and practical support to invest in their local areas.
If delivered well, the Community Right to Buy could mark a turning point – giving local people the tools to save local assets, unlocking investment, generating income, and creating vibrant, resilient, community-led spaces.
We will keep you informed, whilst making sure the final law really delivers on its promise to build better places to live for everyone.