We have written on behalf of 100s of community land trusts to urge the government to add ‘environmental interests’ to the definition of Assets of Community Value, which is the basis for the new Community Right to Buy.
We have been campaigning for a Community Right to Buy for many years. When the government announced it would introduce one last year, we set out the reforms we think it needed to include and began to lobby the government. We have supported joint campaigning co-ordinated by We’re Right Here.
This has mostly succeeded.
But there is one sore spot. Currently the government will not add ‘environmental interests’ alongside ‘social’ and ‘economic’ in its definition of Assets of Community Value. We have been liaising with backbench MPs across the parties to make the case for this since the draft bill was published, but the minister Miatta Fahnbulleh rejected an amendment put forward in bill committee last week.
This matters because communities are setting up Community Land Trusts to buy and develop assets with obvious ‘environmental interests’ – most obviously community gardens, parks, nature reserves, orchards, but also land and buildings that might incorporate habitats like bird boxes, or features to mitigate local flood risk, or plans to reduce the carbon emissions by retrofitting a community centre. It is absurd to deny communities the ability to make these environmental cases alongside social and economic considerations.
Middle Marches CLT has acquired a SSSI site to bring community closer to local nature
Youlgrave CLT’s orchard next to their homes
Gwyr CLT wants to create a community garden with their homes
Calder Valley CLT acquired Fielden Hall and is retrofitting it for energy efficiency
You can read our policy case for this change in the letter our CEO, Tom Chance, sent to the minister today.
If you agree with us, you can take action today!
We need to make more MPs – especially Labour MPs – aware of this issue, and for them to raise it with ministers.
Robin Grey, an activist in Sheffield, has set up a quick campaign page to help you. So what are you waiting for? Write to your MP today!
UPDATE – 18th November – Tom has received a reply from the minister. The letter completely misses our point, and Tom has replied explaining why. We are not arguing for a type of asset – the law doesn’t currently say one sort of asset is a ‘social asset’ or an ‘environmental asset’. Instead, we are arguing that communities should be able to refer to social, economic and environmental interests when making the case for listing an asset as being of value to the community. Communities can already try to register a shop or green space with reference to the ‘social interests’. The government has added ‘economic interests’ not because shops are ineligible, but because it helps to be able to refer to the economic benefits of the community owning the shop (or indeed the green space!) We just want the same to apply to environmental benefits. This would finally bring the definition of Assets of Community Value in line with the planning system, the Treasury’s Green Book and other systems that condition how we value assets.