Community Asset Transfer

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What is Community Asset Transfer:

A Community Asset Transfer Policy proposal identifies when the council considers the transfer of assets, and how local communities could register an interest in taking over a council owned property.

The County Council supports the principle of the transfer of community assets in order to empower and strengthen local communities. The Council believes that transferring appropriate public assets to communities leads to more responsive services that better meet local people’s priorities.

Transfer of an asset can also provide the opportunity to channel more resources into a community and provide a more accessible and responsive base from which to deliver local services.

Typically, organisations that would be considered appropriate are Voluntary and Community Groups/Associations, Trusts or Charities, or Social Enterprise Groups.

It is emphasised that any project must enable and be able to secure the widest possible local community support and input, and the County Council will expect to receive a detailed business case to support any application. Applications from a single service in a single building are less likely to be successful.

Important: Please read the supporting documentation before you progress with your application as you will need to have all the information to hand when completing the Expression of Interest and the system does not allow you to save and come back to it later.

How does Community Asset Transfer work?

It is a two stage process

  • Stage One: Formal Expression of Interest

This involves an overview of what the interested organisations are looking to utilise the building for and demonstrates there is community support.

  • Stage Two: Full Business Plan

Once Formal Expression of Interest submissions have been considered the prospective interested organisations are invited to submit their full business and delivery plans with more detail. Including Finances, Management Plan, Governance details of the Organisation etc

The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning.

Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice.


Alternate formats

If you require any of the information for this project in an alternative format, please contact us on 033 0222 3834 or email us at community.response@westsussex.gov.uk . If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 033 0222 3834.

For more information about the accessibility of this website, please see our Accessibility tab (opens in new window) at the foot of the page.

Survey web browser compatibility

Please use one of the browsers below when completing the survey to ensure it looks and works as it should. These are

· Microsoft Edge version 86 and above

· Chrome version 86 and above

· Firefox version 78 and above

· Safari version 14 and above


Data Protection/Privacy Notice

The Voice and Participation team will use this questionnaire to collect personal and special category data the processing of which is necessary to enable us to be compliant with the law (general well-being duties), and for reasons of substantial public interest. The data will be processed in accordance with the 2018 Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulations, and any subsequent data protection legislation. The data we collect be securely stored and kept for period of up to 2 years before being appropriately destroyed. The data we will collect will not be used for any other purpose than that stated above without your prior written consent. West Sussex County Council is registered as Data Controller (Reg. No. Z6413427). For further details and information about our Data Controller, please see www.westsussex.gov.uk/privacy-policy.

What is Community Asset Transfer:

A Community Asset Transfer Policy proposal identifies when the council considers the transfer of assets, and how local communities could register an interest in taking over a council owned property.

The County Council supports the principle of the transfer of community assets in order to empower and strengthen local communities. The Council believes that transferring appropriate public assets to communities leads to more responsive services that better meet local people’s priorities.

Transfer of an asset can also provide the opportunity to channel more resources into a community and provide a more accessible and responsive base from which to deliver local services.

Typically, organisations that would be considered appropriate are Voluntary and Community Groups/Associations, Trusts or Charities, or Social Enterprise Groups.

It is emphasised that any project must enable and be able to secure the widest possible local community support and input, and the County Council will expect to receive a detailed business case to support any application. Applications from a single service in a single building are less likely to be successful.

Important: Please read the supporting documentation before you progress with your application as you will need to have all the information to hand when completing the Expression of Interest and the system does not allow you to save and come back to it later.

How does Community Asset Transfer work?

It is a two stage process

  • Stage One: Formal Expression of Interest

This involves an overview of what the interested organisations are looking to utilise the building for and demonstrates there is community support.

  • Stage Two: Full Business Plan

Once Formal Expression of Interest submissions have been considered the prospective interested organisations are invited to submit their full business and delivery plans with more detail. Including Finances, Management Plan, Governance details of the Organisation etc

The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning.

Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice.


Alternate formats

If you require any of the information for this project in an alternative format, please contact us on 033 0222 3834 or email us at community.response@westsussex.gov.uk . If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 033 0222 3834.

For more information about the accessibility of this website, please see our Accessibility tab (opens in new window) at the foot of the page.

Survey web browser compatibility

Please use one of the browsers below when completing the survey to ensure it looks and works as it should. These are

· Microsoft Edge version 86 and above

· Chrome version 86 and above

· Firefox version 78 and above

· Safari version 14 and above


Data Protection/Privacy Notice

The Voice and Participation team will use this questionnaire to collect personal and special category data the processing of which is necessary to enable us to be compliant with the law (general well-being duties), and for reasons of substantial public interest. The data will be processed in accordance with the 2018 Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulations, and any subsequent data protection legislation. The data we collect be securely stored and kept for period of up to 2 years before being appropriately destroyed. The data we will collect will not be used for any other purpose than that stated above without your prior written consent. West Sussex County Council is registered as Data Controller (Reg. No. Z6413427). For further details and information about our Data Controller, please see www.westsussex.gov.uk/privacy-policy.

  • Formal Expression of Interest - Railway Carriage, West Grinstead

    An opportunity has presented itself to consider the following asset A Mark 1 British Rail railway carriage, former West Grinstead Station for a possible Community Asset Transfer.

    We are looking to work with suitable community group and/or organisation that are able to demonstrate through this process the ability to take on, manage and maintain this asset through a Full Repairing and Insuring Lease, with terms to be agreed, subject to contract. 

    Important: Please read the supporting documentation before you progress with your application as you will need to have all the information to hand when completing the Expression of Interest and the system does not allow you to save and come back to it later. 

    Stage One 

    A simple Formal Expression of Interest aims to allow potential community or third sector organisations to detail their proposals in outline. 

    Constituted community groups, voluntary groups and Town & Parish Councils working in partnership with local community groups are invited to apply for transfer of an asset identified under Community Asset Transfer for community use. 

    This process will be done online and there is a  PDF copy of the questions to download you can use in formulating your responses.

    The accompanying documentation, guidance, FAQ's and Strategy will help you in pulling together your responses.

    For specific information on the buildings floor plan and running costs please email community.response@westsussex.gov.uk and these will be forwarded to you directly.

    We are organising opportunity for site visits on the following date if you are interested please email community.response@westsussex.gov.uk as we need to book appointments.  

    •  Thursday 20th February 2025

    You will have four weeks to submit your Formal Expression of Interest between Monday 3rd February 2025 to Monday 3rd March 2025

    Submissions will be evaluated and successful EOI's will be invited back to the Second Stage Business Case which is expected to open on Thursday 3rd April 2025. 

    The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

    All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning. 

    Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice. 


    Complete Form
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Guernsey Farm House and North Paddock, Middleton on Sea

    Stage Two

    Business Plan is programmed to run for 7 weeks from 15th December 2023 to 1st February 2024 

    It is important that community and voluntary groups, applying to the County Council for the transfer of assets put forward a robust viable business case in support of any proposal.

    The following sets out the requirements that need to be demonstrated by the group/organisation to be considered ‘fit for purpose’ to lease County Council assets.

    • Financial viability of the transfer
    • Experience of, and/or commitment to, partnership working
    • The appropriate skills, knowledge and expertise in managing the asset and associated project
    • Clearly defined structures, roles and responsibilities
    • Clear decision-making processes
    • All legislation and regulatory controls are in place
    • Aims and objectives
    • Indication of your expected deliverables across a time frame
    • Local community support including local need etc

    The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

    All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning. 

    Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence, are recommended to seek independent legal advice and carry out a condition survey of the property where appropriate.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Formal Expression of Interest - Guernsey Farm House and North Paddock, Middleton On Sea

    An opportunity has presented itself to consider the following asset Guernsey Farmhouse and North Paddock, Middleton on Sea for a possible Community Asset Transfer. To be utilised for a community growing space or communal garden initiative under which the land is cultivated by a group together as a whole plot.  RHS Community Gardening Create a community vegetable plot / RHS Gardening (opens in new window) 

    • Use of the house as residential or overnight accommodation will be strictly prohibited in the lease.
    • The creation of allotments (as defined under Allotments Act 1950) will be strictly prohibited within the lease.  
    • The creation, or application, for a town or village green (‘TVG’ as defined under 15(1) of the Commons Act 2006) will be strictly prohibited within the lease.  
    • The creation of a playing field(s) (as defined under “the 2015 Order”) will be strictly prohibited within the lease. 

    We are looking to work with suitable constituted community groups and/or organisations that are able to demonstrate through this process the ability to take on, manage and maintain this asset through a Full Repairing and Insuring Lease, with terms to be agreed, subject to contract.

    Important: Please read the supporting documentation before you progress with your application as you will need to have all the information to hand when completing the Expression of Interest and the system does not allow you to save and come back to it later. 

    Stage One

    A simple Formal Expression of Interest aims to allow potential community or third sector organisations to detail their proposals in outline. 

    Constituted community groups, voluntary groups and Town & Parish Councils working in partnership with local community groups are invited to apply for transfer of an asset identified under Community Asset Transfer for community use. 

    This process will be done online and there is a PDF copy of the questions to download you can use in formulating your responses.

    The accompanying documentation, guidance, FAQ's and Strategy will help you in pulling together your responses.

    For specific information on the buildings floor plan and running costs please email community.response@westsussex.gov.uk and these will be forwarded to you directly.

    Opportunities to view the site available on appointment only basis for Tuesday 14th & 15th of November 2023. Viewings are strictly by appointment only and should be arranged directly with WSCC via the following; community.response@westsussex.gov.uk,  as we need to book appointments.

    You will have four weeks to submit your Formal Expression of Interest between 1st November 2023 to 30th November 2023

    Submissions will be evaluated and successful EOI's will be invited back to the Second Stage involving a more detailed formal Business Case including financial details which is expected to open on 15th December 2023 to 1st February 2024

    The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

    All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning. 

    Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice. 


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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Business Plan Find it Out Centre Bognor Regis

    Stage Two

    Business Plan is programmed to run for 10 weeks from Monday 14th March 2022 to 24th May 2022

    It is important that community and voluntary groups, applying to the County Council for the transfer of assets put forward a robust viable business case in support of any proposal.

    The following sets out the requirements that need to be demonstrated by the group/organisation to be considered ‘fit for purpose’ to lease County Council assets.

    • Financial viability of the transfer
    • Experience of, and/or commitment to, partnership working
    • The appropriate skills, knowledge and expertise in managing the asset and associated project
    • Clearly defined structures, roles and responsibilities
    • Clear decision-making processes
    • All legislation and regulatory controls are in place
    • Aims and objectives
    • Indication of your expected deliverables across a time frame
    • Managing impact of COVID 19 or other risk impact on proposed business plan

    The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

    All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning. 

    Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice and carry out a condition survey of the property.


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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Business Plan Phoenix Centre's, Bersted

    Stage Two

    Business Plan is programmed to run for 10 weeks from Monday 14th March 2022 to 28th June 2022

    It is important that community and voluntary groups, applying to the County Council for the transfer of assets put forward a robust viable business case in support of any proposal.

    The following sets out the requirements that need to be demonstrated by the group/organisation to be considered ‘fit for purpose’ to lease County Council assets.

    • Financial viability of the transfer
    • Experience of, and/or commitment to, partnership working
    • The appropriate skills, knowledge and expertise in managing the asset and associated project
    • Clearly defined structures, roles and responsibilities
    • Clear decision-making processes
    • All legislation and regulatory controls are in place
    • Aims and objectives
    • Indication of your expected deliverables across a time frame
    • Managing impact of COVID 19 or other risk impact on proposed business plan

    The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

    All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning. 

    Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice and carry out a condition survey of the property.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Business Plan Park Centre, Burgess Hill

    Stage Two

    Business Plan is programmed to run for 10 weeks from Monday 14th March 2022 to 24th May 2022

    It is important that community and voluntary groups, applying to the County Council for the transfer of assets put forward a robust viable business case in support of any proposal.

    The following sets out the requirements that need to be demonstrated by the group/organisation to be considered ‘fit for purpose’ to lease County Council assets.

    • Financial viability of the transfer
    • Experience of, and/or commitment to, partnership working
    • The appropriate skills, knowledge and expertise in managing the asset and associated project
    • Clearly defined structures, roles and responsibilities
    • Clear decision-making processes
    • All legislation and regulatory controls are in place
    • Aims and objectives
    • Indication of your expected deliverables across a time frame
    • Managing impact of COVID 19 or other risk impact on proposed business plan

    The County Council may decide to withdraw this opportunity at any time and will not be held liable or responsible for any costs incurred by bidders in this process. All discussions and negotiations will be Subject to Contract and subject to the County Council's governance process and formal approval.

    All information provided by WSCC as part of this process is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial modelling or business planning. 

    Applicants are advised to carry out their own due diligence and are recommended to seek independent legal advice and carry out a condition survey of the property.

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Page last updated: 25 Feb 2025, 04:38 PM