On 18th September, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet agreed that the first preference is to dispose of Small Grains open space to Fawkham Parish Council through the Disposal Process. This would be at the open market value. The second preference is to dispose to a Housing Association, and then to dispose at auction. However, the open market value, while unknown to FPC at this time, is likely to be too high, even with some negotiation on the price.FPC has requested that Small Grains is instead transferred to it by a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). Such CATs can be for below market value if there are clear social, economic or environmental reasons for making the transfer. FPC prepared what is hoped is a strong business case for a CAT at below market value and submitted that towards the end of August. FPC has commissioned a professional valuation of Small Grains as a designated open space, as required for the CAT business case, and we are awaiting the valuation report which will provide a valuation of Small Grains as a community asset.
The decision on the business case will be made by Cabinet, following consideration and a recommendation by Officers and then by the Finance and Investment Advisory Committee (FIAC). If a decision is made in favour of a CAT, then the decision made at September’s Cabinet meeting under the Disposal Process will be superseded.It is expected that the request for the CAT will be considered by FIAC and then Cabinet at their meetings in January 2026.
