As part of the government's Localism Agenda communities across the UK have been given the right to keep valued land and buildings in community use by giving local people the chance to bid to buy them, if and when they come onto the market. In different parts of the country community trusts have taken over a local pub - or even a village shop (including Ambridge for all you Archers fans!)

The Department for Communities and Local Government have produced guidance on the new legislation which says:

Every town, village or neighbourhood is home to buildings or amenities that play a vital role in local life. They might include community centres, libraries, swimming pools, village shops, markets or pubs. Local life would not be the same without them, and if they are closed or sold into private use, it can be a real loss to the community.

In many places across the country, when local amenities have been threatened with sale or closure, community groups have taken them over. In some cases, however, community groups who have attempted to take assets over have faced significant challenges. They often need more time to organise a bid and raise money than the private enterprises bidding against them.

The Localism Act requires local authorities to maintain a list of assets of community value which have been nominated by the local community. When listed assets come up for sale or change of ownership, the Act then gives community groups the time to develop a bid and raise the money to bid to buy the asset when it comes on the open market. This will help local communities keep much-loved sites in public use and part of local life.

To assist the operation of this scheme a new online project - The Place Station - has launched today. This allows local communities the chance to identify buildings or services which form a vital part of local community life. You can see the places close to our neighbourhood that have already been identified by viewing this map.

You need to register to contribute;  the Place Station provides a space where people can:

• Search for land and buildings
• Add a Place they'd like to see owned and managed by the community
• Add an Idea for transforming local services
• Propose new uses for available land and buildings
• Establish community support to aid the prioritisation of assets of community value on formal lists held by local authorities
• Comment on and offer to support an Idea or Proposal for a Place
• Find pro-bono supporters where they live to put their Ideas and Proposals into practice

Which are our own local community assets?