US EditionEpping’s Bell Hotel can house asylum seekers, rules judge
- On Tuesday, High Court judge Mr Justice Mould denied Epping Forest District Council an injunction, ruling asylum seekers may remain at The Bell Hotel, Epping, Essex, saying use was not a flagrant planning breach.
- Epping Forest District Council sued Somani Hotels, owner of The Bell Hotel, alleging planning rule breaches by housing asylum seekers and sought court orders amid unrest claims.
- The judge noted he heard no evidence that local GP, health and social services were under pressure and found no basis that asylum seekers are more prone to criminal behaviour.
- The Home Office intervened, warning injunctions could prompt councils to close migrant hotels, while officials said asylum estate demand is high and re-accommodation would be difficult.
- Protesters gathered outside The Bell after the temporary injunction was overturned at the Court of Appeal in August, prompting warnings it could encourage other councils to seek vetoes and disrupt government asylum policy.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Bell Hotel Can House Asylum Seekers, High Court Judge Rules
Asylum seekers can continue to be housed in the Bell Hotel in Essex after Epping Forest District Council failed to secure a High Court injunction that would block them from living there. The council took legal action against the hotel owner, Somani Hotels, claiming that accommodating asylum seekers there breaches planning rules. Lawyers for Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) said the housing of asylum seekers is a “material change of use” and…
UK court rules protest-hit hotel can continue housing asylum seekers
LONDON: A UK high court judge ruled Tuesday that asylum seekers can continue to be housed in a hotel northeast of London which was the target of anti-immigration protests earlier this year. The local council in Epping had launched a legal challenge to block the use of the Bell Hotel as asylum accommodation, after violent protests broke out in July and August over accusations
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