The General Conference of the New Church and Bristol City Council

Abstract

Places of religious worship – Registration – Church building – Statute requiring local authorities to maintain list of assets of community value – Assets of community value defined as (i) those with current or recent ‘non-ancillary use’ furthering ‘the social well being or interest of the local community’ or (ii) those having realistic prospect of such ancillary use within five years – Effect of listing was potential six-month moratorium on sale to provide community group with opportunity to bid – Listing of church building and adjoining land by City Council on application of local interest group – Owners of church wishing to sell church and avoid six-month moratorium therefore appealing City Council’s decision to list the building – Whether religious interests fall within scope of uses that further ‘the social wellbeing or interests of the local community’ – Definition of ‘ancillary’ and ‘non-ancillary’ uses – Evaluation of realistic future uses – Localism Act 2011, section 88 – Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/2421), regulation 11