On 22nd June 2013, an application to have St. Andrew’s Stadium listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) under Localism Act 2011 was submitted by Blues Trust to Birmingham City Council.

The application – accompanied by a two-page dossier detailing the community benefits the stadium offers the city and its surrounding area – had been submitted with an eight week deadline following the successful listing of Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium, applied for by OxVox, the Supporters’ Trust for Oxford United FC. Birmingham City Council officials have since advised that they intend to have a report on the application ready this month, with a final decision to be made within the next six weeks.

The application to have St. Andrew’s listed as an Asset of Community Value is one of 18 applied for by various Supporters’ Trusts across the country. Of the 18 applications, 4 – submitted by Trusts for Manchester United, Liverpool, Nuneaton Town and Oxford United – have been approved. To date, there have been no rejections.

Council leader, Sir Albert Bore, said: “The Council has very recently taken [Queen’s] Counsel’s opinion on the nomination. On advice from [Queen’s] Counsel, we will be writing to the Blues Supporters shortly asking for further information in support of the application, before a decision is made.”

“Given the need to carry out further consultation to ensure that the correct decision is made, the application has been delayed. However, we would envisage a decision being made by mid-October.”

In response to the Council, Blues Trust chairman Steve McCarthy said: “We as a Trust feel the Asset of Community Value application is of vital importance at this particular time, especially as St. Andrew’s remains one of the Club’s only saleable assets should it be required to raise future financial capital. Therefore, it is in the interest of everyone associated with Birmingham City Football Club to protect and safeguard the ground’s future.”

“Everyone associated with the Trust is disappointed that a decision has not yet been reached, however we look forward to a receiving a positive outcome in due course.”