Council assembles task force in bid to bring legal action against asylum hotels      

The council first issued planning contravention notices to the owners of three hotels in September.

The council said it believes a breach of planning control has occurred at the hotels and is taking legal steps, including considering enforcement action.

Since then, the local authority has been seeking to use formal planning enforcement powers, whilst also continuing to gather evidence to ensure it has a robust case.

It has now assembled a task force of senior officers to continue advancing the work, saying it remains resolute in pursuing action on behalf of its residents.

In an update issued on Friday (12 December), its leader, Cllr Mark Arnell, said that the council would not pursue injunctive relief in light of Epping Forest District Council's failed efforts to secure an injunction against the use of the Bell Hotel.

Cllr Arnell meanwhile described the new taskforce as a "significant step forward as we pursue our case against the use of hotels housing asylum seekers, which continue to place an unreasonable strain on our already overstretched public services".

He added: "It is important the council has strong evidence and has considered all legal opinion to ensure its chances of success in future action against these hotels.

“We’ve seen from the case regarding The Bell Hotel in Epping and Justice Mould’s judgement, that injunctive action was not the appropriate legal instrument, and I’m pleased that my council is following the correct planning process in order to reach the right conclusion.”

Mould J found that the use of the Bell Hotel breached planning control, but ultimately refused Epping Forest's injunction application after finding the use of the Bell Hotel to accommodate asylum seekers did not cause serious harm and is not a case where an injunction was "just and convenient".

Adam Carey