The Beechen Cliff Methodist Church and Hall on Bear Flat have been made an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
The Bear Flat Association (BFA) made the case for the church and hall to be an ACV. Bath & North East Somerset Council accepted the nomination, and the ACV is now in force.
The new status means the local community will be informed if the church and hall are listed for sale, and no sale could take place within a specified period, to allow proper consideration.
ACV status would continue after this period and would be a material consideration in any planning application.
BFA Chair David Morgan says ‘This is great news. ACV status shows potential
purchasers that the church and hall are well used and greatly valued by the local community. We’ll be doing all we can to uphold this facility for Bear Flat.
The Methodist authorities have been looking at options for the future of the church and hall, but no decision has been taken so far.
B&NES Council stated that BFA had demonstrated ‘a strong use of The Beechen Cliff Methodist Church and Hall by the local community’. The community ‘feels strongly in support of this community asset’, it added.
Uses of the buildings range from a community market to yoga classes, from a pre-school to choir rehearsals. The hall also serves as a Polling Station and venue for public meetings.
The Association says it will continue to monitor the situation, engage constructively with relevant parties, and keep residents informed of developments. Although it can’t actually stop a sale, it has a voice, being the nominating body for the ACV status.
BFA also thanked local councillors Stuart Bridge and Ian Halsall, who lent support to the nomination; and the many people locally who underpinned the process with individual statements.
