Council seeks injunction to shut down asylum seeker hotel in bid to ease community tension

The move comes after escalating tensions in Epping, which has seen a series of protests against hotels hosting asylum seekers.

Protestors gathered in the town last month following news of the arrest and charging of an individual for the sexual assault of a girl and the arrest of another individual for arson.

The council also passed a motion in the wake of the demonstrations, urging the Home Office to stop using "unsuitable" hotels in small towns and rural areas to house asylum seekers.

An ensuing letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper complained that the sites were "proving to be entirely unsuitable and are placing an unsustainable strain on police resources, creating significant community tension, and leading to public disorder".

The council lodged its application for an interim injunction on Tuesday (12 August), citing the risk of further escalating community tensions and the urgency of the need for the present situation to be brought under control.

The council is also seeking a declaration that the use of the Bell Hotel for the purposes of accommodating asylum seekers is not a use akin to use as a hotel, and accordingly not a permitted use for planning purposes.

Cllr Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council, said the use of the hotel to accommodate asylum seekers is "a clear breach of planning permission".

He added: "It is not in use as a hotel, and it doesn't function as a hotel. The establishment of a centre to accommodate asylum seekers in this particular location, in close proximity to five schools, a residential care home, and the shops and amenities of the market town of Epping, is not appropriate in planning terms.

"We have tried to help the Home Office see the situation cannot go on, but central government is not listening.

"We should not have to take this fight to the High Court, but we are left with no choice. It is now up to the judge."

A Home Office spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.

The Home Office meanwhile noted that the number of hotels being used to house asylum seekers had fallen from 400 in 2023 to less than 210.

The programme costs have also been reduced from £8.3m per day last year to £5.77m a day, the department said.

Adam Carey