Skip to main content
 

New Community Right to Buy introduced

The government has introduced the Community Right to Buy as part of its English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, something Locality has been calling for along with our partners at the We’re Right Here campaign.

The government is introducing a new Community ‘Right to Buy’, replacing the previous Right to Bid. At Locality we’ve been campaigning for this for nearly a decade, including through our cross-sector Localism Commission, our popular Save our Spaces campaign, and our recent Locality Manifesto

 

The new power gives communities the right of first refusal once important local buildings and spaces come up for sale, if they have already been registered as an Asset of Community Value.  

 

This new right will make it easier for communities to take valued community assets like local buildings and spaces into community ownership. Read more about the new right. We are campaigning for more funding to help communities take advantage of this new right. 

 

As the national experts in community ownership, Locality has advice, tools and training to help local people and local authorities with every step of transferring buildings and spaces into community ownership.

60
min
read
Community powered neighbourhoods: How community anchor organisations can transform our places
Our new report explains why the government must put community anchor organisations centre stage in its neighbourhoods policy.
Published: 10 November 2025
60
min
read
Clean Power = Community Power
Our new report sets out how the Local Power Plan can help meet our net zero ambitions and build long-term community infrastructure.
Published: 20 November 2025
Consultancy
Pride in Place: we can help
Use our tools and advice to ensure the Pride in Place programme has a lasting impact, with help for Neighbourhood Boards, setting up organisations, community ownership of buildings, engaging your community, working with others, and monitoring your impact.
News
03
min
read
What’s next? How government can achieve its community power ambitions
The Labour government has made devolving power a core part of its agenda. The English Devolution White Paper made clear that “a new approach to communities” is a central part of the devolution story, with a commitment to legislate for a Community Right to Buy.
Published: 12 April 2025
News
03
min
read
New power for communities in English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
This is a significant step forward for community power - something Locality has been campaigning on for many years.
Published: 10 July 2025
Community ownership: support and tools
We believe community ownership helps communities take control of their future. Read our advice on how to take a building or space into community ownership, how to manage a community-owned building, and how to access funding. Connect with those that have already done it and get help from Locality, the national experts in community ownership and community asset transfer.