Epping Forest District Council has voted to appeal a High Court ruling that dismissed its legal bid to stop the Bell Hotel in Essex from housing asylum seekers. The decision, made during an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday night, signals the council's determination to continue legal action despite an earlier court setback.
The council's Conservative leader Chris Whitbread told the BBC that a "strong majority" of councillors backed continuing the court proceedings. The authority now faces the challenge of first securing permission to appeal before it can pursue the legal challenge further.
The High Court ruling earlier this month rejected the council's case against hotel owner Somani Hotels, which argued that housing asylum seekers at the venue breached planning rules. Mr Justice Mould concluded in his judgment that it is «not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control».
Turbulent summer of protests
The Bell Hotel became the center of intense protests over the summer after an asylum seeker housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Epping in July. Hadush Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian national, was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months in prison in September.
Kebatu was mistakenly released from Chelmsford Prison and has since been deported to Ethiopia. The case sparked weekly protests and counter-protests that split the local community between those opposing the hotel's use for asylum seekers and others displeased with the regular demonstrations and increased police presence.
Cost controversy
The legal battle has proven expensive and divisive within the council. Jon Whitehouse, the Liberal Democrat group leader, criticized the action, stating: «The legal action initiated by the Conservative cabinet, which has cost far more than most councillors expected, has so far achieved precisely nothing except to drain the council's reserves.»
Whitbread acknowledged the financial strain, telling the BBC that legal costs would be made public «very soon» and would hopefully be covered «from our reserves». He added that while «council tax will be going up in the coming year», it would not be «because of The Bell».
The Home Office responded to the High Court judgment by saying it allows the government to pursue closing asylum hotels in an «orderly, planned and sustained programme». Meanwhile, the council is exploring other planning enforcement options against Somani Hotels.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
