Communities win a first crack at buying local assets under new law

England's Devolution and Community Empowerment Act gives community groups a new right to buy local assets unchallenged within 12 months if they can fundraise, expanding the existing right to bid and widening what counts as an asset of community value to include economic benefits and a new sporting category; however, without the £150m Community Ownership Fund, funding remains a hurdle and experts warn the change could mainly benefit wealthier communities, even as groups like Domestic Abuse WA12 and Coalville CAN plan to convert pubs and market halls into community hubs.