William Eichler 26 November 2025

Council appeals Bell Hotel court decision

Council appeals Bell Hotel court decision image
© William Barton / Shutterstock.com.

Epping Forest District Council has voted to appeal against a recent High Court decision to allow the use of The Bell Hotel as temporary accommodation for refugees.

The council sought to block the Home Office from placing asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Epping by arguing its owner was in breach of planning rules.

The High Court dismissed the case, reportedly ruling an injunction was ‘not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control’.

The hotel became the focus of anti-immigration protests over the summer.

The council yesterday voted to proceed to the next stage of the appeals process, adding that it ‘remains committed to the closure of the Bell Hotel.’

Check out: Is immigration making the UK an ‘island of strangers’?

Devolution and putting place first image

Devolution and putting place first

The real lesson of Andy Burnham's Makerfield success, argues Dr Jonathan Carr-West, is that place – not personality – is the key to Britain's future.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Community Support Worker (Tendring South Team)

Essex County Council
£26284.00 - £33256.00 per annum + full time equivalent
Community Support Worker (Tendring South Team)Permanent, Part Time£26,284 to £33,256 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Group Engineer - Highway Operations

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£48,226 - £53,460
We are looking for a Group Engineer to join our team in the Highways Service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Learning and Development Digital Advisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£32,841 - £39,798 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £3,701 (approx.) £12.85 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (pay award pending)
Make a real difference at the point where people need it most. Join a fast-paced hospital social work team where no two days are the same and your exp Chester Le Street
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner