Purpose

The purpose of this decision is
to decide whether the land/building should be included as an asset
of community value (“ACV”) on the Council’s
register of ACVs.
 
On 22 January 2024 a nomination
was received from Grantchester Parish Council in respect of
The Blue Ball Inn, 57 Broadway, Grantchester, CB3 9NQ. This is a
re-nomination of an asset that is due to expire on 8 April 2024 in
accordance with the legislation following expiry of the
listing.
 
Following consideration of the nomination, Notice of Nomination
was sent to Cllr Michael Atkins, Cllr Ariel Cahn and Cllr Lisa
Redrup, (for the district Ward of Harston & Comberton), to the
Parish Council acknowledging their nomination and to the owners (to
give them the opportunity to comment, in line with SCDC policy to
allow an owner (or other party with a charge on the land/buildings)
to make a representation prior to a decision being made). The
nomination was publicised through the weekly bulletin and the Lead
Member for Communities was notified

Content

The purpose of this decision is
to decide whether the land/building should be included as an asset
of community value (“ACV”) on the Council’s
register of ACVs.
 
On 22 January 2024 a nomination
was received from Grantchester Parish Council in respect of
The Blue Ball Inn, 57 Broadway, Grantchester, CB3 9NQ. This is a
re-nomination of an asset that is due to expire on 8 April 2024 in
accordance with the legislation following expiry of the
listing.
 
Following consideration of the nomination, Notice of Nomination
was sent to Cllr Michael Atkins, Cllr Ariel Cahn and Cllr Lisa
Redrup, (for the district Ward of Harston & Comberton), to the
Parish Council acknowledging their nomination and to the owners (to
give them the opportunity to comment, in line with SCDC policy to
allow an owner (or other party with a charge on the land/buildings)
to make a representation prior to a decision being made). The
nomination was publicised through the weekly bulletin and the Lead
Member for Communities was notified

Officers have considered the nomination along with the feedback received following issue of Notices of
Nomination, and are satisfied that the principal use
of the asset as detailed in the map accompanying the nomination
does further the social well-being, or cultural recreational or
sporting interests of the local community (and has done in
the recent past) and it is realistic to think there
can continue to be non-ancillary use of the building/land which
will further the social interests of the local community.
Therefore, it can be accepted, in accordance with Section 88 (1) of
the Localism Act 2011.

The Blue Ball Public House is
located in the centre of Grantchester, overlooking the popular
Grantchester Meadows leading down to the River Cam. It is the
oldest public house in Grantchester, is well known for providing
good beer in a relaxed and traditional setting and is supported
with excellent reviews by CAMRA.  It is
considered the main ‘village’ pub in terms of where
many villagers choose to drink. It also has a two bedroom
self-catering apartment above the pub (listed on
air bnb)
which includes a sitting room, kitchen/diner and two
ensuites. Guests have access to the pub
garden throughout their stay and are welcomed downstairs in
bar. However, the principal use of the
building is as a public house.
A group of regular customers
hold a book club in the pub around 10 times a year and this is
attended by approximately 20 members, three of whom are local
residents from Grantchester. The TV Series
‘Grantchester’ is set in the village and filming has
taken place both inside and outside of the pub. During this time
the cast are regulars of the pub and they also choose it as a
location for their end of shoot party.
In the recent past, the cricket
club held AGM meetings in the pub and during the Queen’s
Jubilee it was a place where locals could purchase their tickets
for the village Jubilee party.
It meets the
description of an asset of community value.

The options are:
(a) To accept the nomination
and place the asset on the register of assets of community
value,
(b) To
refuse the nomination and place the asset on the register of
unsuccessful nominations.