Following a joint application on behalf of fans of Hartlepool United by Hartlepool United Supporters Trust (HUST) and Hartlepool United Supporters Association (HUSA) we can confirm that the Victoria Park and the associated area surrounding the stadium has again been designated as an ‘asset of community value’ by Hartlepool Borough Council. This is a repeat listing of the first application which was approved in 2015 for the standard five year time frame and offers fans a ‘right to bid’ in the event that the important asset should be made available for sale. The new ACV listing will remain in place until September 2025.
While an ACV in practise has limited protection it does provide valuable insight into any prospective sale of Victoria Park and would offer the groups representing fans some time before any sale was concluded to review the potential impact of that sale and where necessary to look to table a rival bid to purchase the asset from Hartlepool Borough Council.
Find out more about ACVs through this short video from Supporters Direct (now part of the Football Supporters’ Association):