We at the Waltham Forest Civic Society were sorry to read the article (Guardian, September 11) about the closure of the Heathcote Arms public house in Grove Green Road, Leytonstone. This follows other recent closures of public houses in the Borough, including the Waltham Oak, the Antelope and the Royston Arms. Others are threatened. The Waltham Forest Civic Society (WFCS) has been campaigning this year to get buildings and open spaces throughout Waltham Forest listed by the Borough as Assets of Community Value (ACVs). If the Heathcote Arms had been listed as an ACV, then any group that listed it would be given six months to decide whether they wanted to buy the building themselves, or to find a partner willing to take the building on and continue to use it for its existing community purpose.

ACV status recognises the importance of the use to which a place is put – be it a children’s playground, assembly rooms, a library, nursery school or a public house. Anything that is used and valued by the local community could be listed, with the approval of the Council. Even mountains have been listed as ACVs!

The owners of a property cannot apply for listing, it requires 21 or more local people who use or have a connection to the building to apply.

Waltham Forest so far has nowhere listed as an Asset of Community Value, although the legislation has been in place since April 2012.

At present the Civic Society is hoping to list one pub in Leyton, among several other properties. Petition forms to request a building to be considered for ACV status and further information are available from the Council's website or contact WFCS (via Twitter at @wfcivicsociety).

Madeleine Munday, Waltham Forest Civic Society.