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Peter Walker reports for the BBC News in Essex that a district council has sought an injunction from the High Court to prevent migrants from being housed at The Bell Hotel. Following months of protests against the hotel being used to accommodate asylum seekers, Epping Forest District Council expressed concerns about escalating tensions in the community.
Conservative leader Chris Whitbread emphasized the unprecedented levels of disruption and protests near the hotel, prompting the council to take legal action. The Home Office refrained from commenting on the matter due to ongoing legal proceedings. The council’s application for an injunction, if granted, is set to take effect within 14 days.
The local authority argues that the use of the hotel to accommodate asylum seekers violates planning regulations. Concerns were raised about the lack of criminal record checks for individuals housed at the hotel, especially since there are schools and a care home nearby. The council spokesperson stressed the urgency of the situation, comparing the hotel’s use by the Home Office to a nightclub that should have been shut down earlier.
Recent protests stemmed from the arrest of a resident who was charged with serious offenses, leading to a string of arrests and charges. Stand Up To Racism activists have also been present at the hotel, while asylum seekers assisted by refugee charity Care4Calais have reported feeling intimidated. Despite reducing the number of asylum hotels from 400 to 210, the Home Office remains embroiled in controversies surrounding accommodation for asylum seekers
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