RURAL communities are being urged to use the Localism Act to protect their important assets.
Under the 2011 Localism Act, councils are required to maintain a list of assets of community value.
Communities are able to nominate the assets which are important to them.
When listed assets come up for sale or change of ownership, community groups will have time to develop a bid and raise the money to buy the asset when it comes on the open market. Dorset Community Action and the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils (DAPTC) want to raise awareness of the new rights.
Simon Thompson, of Dorset Community Action, said: “Rural communities need to start talking to their local authority about their assets.”
A training event organised by DAPTC is being held at Kingston Maurward College on Tuesday, February 26.
For more details go to the DAPTC website at dorset-aptc.gov.uk
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