Reading Borough Council (RBC) has apologised after ‘missing’ an application to list legendary Reading club The After Dark as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

ACV status can provide a means for planners to refuse consent for redevelopment and also means that the building cannot be sold for alternative uses without the knowledge of the local community.

A nearby pub, The Hop Leaf, was recently listed as an ACV by the council.

READ MORE: Reading pub listed as ‘community asset’ – what this means for future of ‘vital’ pub

A spokesman for RBC said: “We are contacting the applicant to apologise as this application was missed.

“It arrived on March 17, the day after the council closed its offices due to the pandemic, but it should nevertheless have been dealt with.

“It will now be progressed as soon as possible in the usual way.”

An ACV building must be used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

If the owner of an ACV building wants to sell the property, they must contact the council, who will notify the community group that nominated the asset.

The community group then has the opportunity to register its interest as a potential bidder, triggering a six-month moratorium period during which, subject to certain exceptions, the owner can only sell the asset if it is to a community interest group.

READ MORE: Why Reading pub The Pheasant could be shut down – a timeline

After the six-month moratorium period, the owner can sell to whomever they choose.

READ MORE: After Dark saved from demolition but licence battle continues

Plans to demolish the After Dark nightclub and turn it into flats were rejected by the council for a third time in June.

The legendary Reading club is awaiting a court date for an appeal hearing after Reading Borough Council (RBC) took away its licence.