Councillor Ed Blake has announced that the application to have Ventnor Winter Gardens listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) has been accepted.
He said,
“Very pleased to announce that the application that I submitted with the backing of the community for the Ventnor Winter Gardens to be listed as an asset of community value, has been accepted.
“This is a great indicator of the local authority’s acknowledgment of the key place the Winter Gardens has in our community.”
What is an Asset of Community Value?
Under the Localism Act 2011, a building or piece of land can be designated as an Asset of Community Value if its main use has recently been, or could in future be, to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.
When an asset is listed, community groups have the right to be informed if the owner intends to sell. The listing triggers a moratorium period, usually six months, giving community groups time to put together a bid to buy the property before it goes on the open market.
What this means for the Winter Gardens
The ACV listing does not force the sale of the Winter Gardens or change the current ownership. Instead, it offers additional protection by ensuring the community has a chance to act if the site is put up for sale. The ACV listing is valid for five years.
For Ventnor, the listing acknowledges the cultural, social and historic importance of the Winter Gardens and strengthens the community’s ability to play a role in its future.
