Try GOLD - Free
Asylum seekers can use hotel, court rules
Birmingham Mail
|November 12, 2025
ASYLUM seekers can continue to be housed in the Bell Hotel in Essex after Epping Forest District Council failed to secure a High Court injunction that would block them from living there.
-
The Bell Hotel in Essex
(JORDAN PETTITT/PA)
The council took legal action against the hotel owner, Somani Hotels, claiming that accommodating asylum seekers there breaches planning rules.
Lawyers for Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) said the housing of asylum seekers is a 'material change of use' and has caused 'increasingly regular protests.' The Home Office intervened in the case, telling the court the council's bid was 'misconceived.
This story is from the November 12, 2025 edition of Birmingham Mail.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Birmingham Mail
Birmingham Mail
Robbo has goal for Blues ten years after last strike
YESTERDAY was exactly ten years to the day since Paul Robinson scored his last goal in professional football.
3 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
Tory councillors resign in dispute over election
NATIONAL PARTY 'APPEARS DIVISIVE AND RISKS MARGINALISING COMMUNITIES'
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
Millington’s Moors are a match for anyone - time to show it
CHRIS Millington insists Solihull Moors possess the players to match the very best in the National League - and the theory will be put to the test in the next fortnight.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
'We don't do vanilla... and for a reason'
NICA’S ‘OUT OF THE ORDINARY’ ICE CREAM PACKS A FLAVOUR PUNCH
1 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
City council's IT fiasco faces even more delays
ALREADY FOUR YEARS LATE, THE ORACLE ROLL-OUT NOW SET FOR SUMMER
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
INSIDE GLORY
HOW TO SELECT AND LOOK AFTER INDOOR GREENERY
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
Villa seeking a dozen of the best with home run
UNAI Emery insists Aston Villa are only focused on beating Everton rather than setting a new club record with a 12th consecutive home win this weekend.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
SIMPLE TASTES
Deliciously Ella's new plant-based recipes will make dinner a doddle. ELLA WALKER learns more
3 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
SEED SPIKES RIPPED OPEN SHOW A HEALTHY BUNTING POPULATION
REED ALL ABOUT IT Busy reed bunting
1 mins
January 17, 2026
Birmingham Mail
DEEP TROUBLE
Stars Sophie Rundle, Matt Stokoe and Nicholas Gleaves talk to LYNN RUSK about the new series of disaster thriller After The Flood
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size