This weekend the BBC reported that a long-running campaign by local residents has resulted in the re-opening of the Chesham Arms Pub in Hackney, see here.
One aspect of that campaign was an application by the local community for the pub to be listed as an asset of community value under Part 5 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012. Hackney LBC accepted the nomination, against which the owner appealed to the First-Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber). This resulted in the first appeal concerning the assets of community value regime, which was heard by the First-Tier Tribunal in late 2013. The First-Tier Tribunal dismissed the appeal and upheld the Council’s decision to accept the nomination, read here.
Michael Lee represented the London Borough of Hackney in the First-Tier Tribunal, whilst James Goudie KC and Robin Hopkins both advised the Council at earlier stages. All were instructed by Graham White (Interim Assistant Director, Legal and Democratic Services) for the London Borough of Hackney.
