A pub has been listed as a ‘community asset’ which will allow groups to bid for it should it come up for sale.

The Three Tuns in Guilden Morden, which closed at the beginning of the year, was added to the community asset register after nominations demonstrated it was of high value to the community.

Applications by parish councils to add pubs to the register were accepted after the Government introduced new rights and powers for communities as part of the Localism Act.

The aim of the Right to Bid legislation is to help keep valued buildings and land used by the community within the community.

Land charges are placed on the properties so the owner must let the council know when they intend to sell it.

Community groups are then given six weeks to state if they intend to bid and then six months to put together a bid to purchase the asset for community use.

Cllr Pippa Corney, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for planning policy and localism, said: “Buildings where communities can get together are often the heart and soul of villages and this register is aimed at giving local groups the time needed for the business plan and financing to be organised to support a community bid.”

The Plough in Shepreth is already listed as a community asset on the register.

Details of the Right to Bid process and assets listed on the register in South Cambridgeshire can be found by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk/content/community-right-bid