Epping Forest District Council has lost its long-running legal battle to stop asylum seekers being housed in a local hotel.
The council sought to block migrants from being placed at The Bell Hotel in Epping by arguing its owner was in breach of planning rules.
The hotel became the focus of much attention over the summer as anti-immigration protests gathered in Epping.
The High Court has dismissed the case, reportedly ruling an injunction was ‘not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control’.
The district council has been contacted for comment.
