Essex council asks High Court to stop hotel housing migrants
An Essex council has asked the High Court to stop the owners of a hotel housing migrants, following weeks of protests.
Epping Forest District Council applied on Tuesday for an interim High Court injunction to prevent the Bell Hotel being used to accommodate asylum seekers.
The council is requesting that the ban take effect 14 days after the injunction is approved.
It is citing "the clear risk of further escalating community tensions" and calls for the present situation "to be brought under control" urgently.
The council is also requesting a declaration that using the Bell Hotel to house asylum seekers is not the same as using it as a regular hotel, and therefore is not permitted under planning rules.
"The current situation cannot go on. If the Bell Hotel was a nightclub we could have closed it down long ago," said Cllr Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping Forest District Council.
"So far as the council is aware, there is no criminal record checking of individuals who might only have been in the country a matter of days before being housed at the hotel."
Cllr Whitbread pointed out there are five schools and a residential care home within the vicinity of the hotel, and that the use by the Home Office of the premises for asylum seekers could further escalate community tensions that are "already at a high", as well as "the risk of irreparable harm to the local community".
"This will only increase with the start of the new school year. We are frustrated that the Home Office continues not to listen," he said.
Weeks of protests
Demonstrations began on 13 July after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
An Ethiopian man, who had only recently arrived on a small boat, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault of a girl.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denies sexual assault and is due to stand trial this month.
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Essex Police recently implemented dispersal orders before some protests, allowing officers to order anyone suspected of causing anti-social behaviour to leave the area.
The force said 25 people have been arrested in connection with the protests, and a total of 16 people have now been charged.
'Unprecedented' levels of disruption
Epping Forest council said it has resorted to this latest action due to the "unprecedented levels of protest and disruption" in the community.
The protests have placed the police "under severe pressure", as additional police officers had to be drafted in from other forces, it said.
At a recent council meeting in July 2025, Epping Forest councillors voted unanimously to call on the Home Office to "immediately" close the Bell Hotel. They also called for the phased closure of the Phoenix Hotel in North Weald, which is also providing temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
"We are doing this on behalf of our local community. We are a small district council. We have tried to help the Home Office see the situation cannot go on, but central government is not listening," Cllr Whitbread said.
"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," he added.
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