The first Asset of Community Value to be granted by Richmond Council

Putney Sea Scouts have succeeded in having the scout hut on Barn Elms as an Asset of Community Value ACV in a move which they believe could help reinforce their claim to ownership of the building.

David J King, Treasurer for 5th Putney Sea Scouts told PutneySW15: " As our Scout Hut and the land on which it stands are located in the London Borough of Richmond we have registered the premises as an Asset of Community Value."

The designation is believed to be the first of its kind by Richmond Council and provides some extra protection for the building but is not the equivalent of listed status.

The 5th Putney Sea Scouts paid for and built the Scout Hut 42 years ago on land, located in the London Borough of Richmond, which at the time was owned by the Greater London Council but, is now owned by Wandsworth Borough Council. The Council want the scouts to share the hut with a group of disabled adults but they say it cannot accommodate both organisations.

The Sea Scouts received notice from the solicitors for Wandsworth Borough Council that they will end their tenancy on 17th July 2015 and since then the Sea Scouts have been taking steps to preserve their independence on the site.

They said, 'We, the 5th Putney Sea Scouts are grateful to Richmond Council for considering their nomination and for making this exceptional decision as the Sea Scouts Group continue to defend themselves against a takeover by Wandsworth Council.'

May 1, 2015