Which sites should we protect as ‘Community Assets’?

THE people of Thame are being asked to suggest sites around the town that could be described as ‘community assets’, as a way of, in the future, having first option to purchase them should they become available on the open market.

A development like this, proposed for Thame’s Cattlemarket, could be prevented by a ‘Community Asset Transfer’ (Image courtesy of R G Williams (TCM) Ltd

This ‘Community Right to Bid’ is part of the Localism Bill published by the Government, in 2011, which allows such sites to be registered to protect this new right. Another Right under the Act, is ‘Community Asset Transfer’ which empowers local authorities to transfer the ownership of land and buildings to communities for less than their market value. This is known as ‘discounted asset transfer’ or ‘asset transfer’.

For Thame this could include sites such as the Cattlemarket, Thame Show Ground, the Post Office or perhaps land alongside the Phoenix Trail to extend the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve, as has been suggested by a town councillor.

A Working Party, lead by Cllr Mike Weply, will garner suggestions from the public before taking the suggestions to full council at a later date to decide which will be nominated for Registration.

A full explanation of the details of the Community Right to Bid can be found here: LINK