July 2022 – Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation applies for registration of the Water Lane Hall as an Asset of Community Value.
16 September 2022 – The hall is formally registered as an Asset of Community Value.
20 September 2022 – East Herts Council property team notify their intention to make a relevant disposal of (sell) the United Reformed Church Hall, Bishop’s Stortford. They advise:
‘The leasehold is likely to be purchased by Cityheart along with other land and assets as part of the Old River Lane development. Therefore ownership will be changing hands along with the wider site.’
According to the Localism Act 2011, as the nominating community group, Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation has the right to make an expression of interest for acquisition of the property.
30 October 2022 – Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation formally notifies its intention to submit a bid for the hall, and invoke a six month moratorium on disposal of the property to anyone else.