Issue - meetings

To consider nominations for assets of community value.

Councillor Barker presented a report which set out the Council’s duty to maintain the list of land in its area that was land of community value, and which sought the determination of the nominations made, including the determination of re-nominated assets which following their inclusion in 2012 were due to be removed from the list after five years.

Members were asked to determine whether each of the nominated properties referred to was a valid nomination.  The report set out the criteria members needed to consider:  whether the use of the building (currently or in the recent past) furthered the social wellbeing or interests of the community and whether it was realistic to think that in the next five years the building could be used to further the social wellbeing or interests of the community.  In considering those questions, she said members had to consider principal, rather than ancillary, uses of the building.  If members concluded that the answer to these questions was “yes”, a nominated property should be included in the list of assets of community value. 

Councillor Barker went through the nominations, explaining the recommendations and the intention to defer consideration of two of these nominations.  She commended the organiser of the petition in relation to Chalky Meadow, and thanked the other speakers.  

Councillor Barker referred to the properties which she recommended should be accepted for inclusion on the list of assets of community value, for the reasons which she had set out, and which she invited Cabinet to determine.

Regarding the category of nominations which it was recommended should be rejected, Councillor Barker said that in the case of Land adjacent north of Threeways, and south of Limetree Hill, Great Dunmow, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that a primary use of the land furthered the social wellbeing and social interests of the community.  In respect of the Post Office, High Street, Great Dunmow, the Post Office was exempt from listing as it was classed as “operational land” of Post Office Limited.  In respect of St Giles Church, Great Hallingbury, St Mary’s Church, Little Hallingbury, St Margaret of Antioch Parish Church, All Saints Church, Rickling and St Simon and St Jude’s Church, Quendon:  there was legal authority that religious observance was not a use that qualified a building for listing as an asset of community value and there was no clear evidence of another use that was not ancillary that would qualify. 

In respect of Quendon Hall and Parkland, and Quendon Woods, Councillor Barker said the primary use of the Hall as a private wedding venue was not a use of the land which furthered the social wellbeing and social interests of the community, and that there was little or no evidence of any other non-ancillary use that met that requirement; and in respect of the Woods, that there was not sufficient evidence to conclude that a primary use of the land furthered the social wellbeing and social interests of the community. 

Regarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17