Impact of the verdict Ruling could recharge tensions for councils

Last week, after an application by Epping Forest district council (EFDC), a high court judge ruled that asylum seekers could no longer be placed at the protest-hit Bell hotel and gave its owner, Somani hotels, until 12 September to rehouse the 138 people remaining there.

- Haroon Siddique Aletha Adu

What was the appeal about? Last week, after an application by Epping Forest district council (EFDC), a high court judge ruled that asylum seekers could no longer be placed at the protest-hit Bell hotel and gave its owner, Somani hotels, until 12 September to rehouse the 138 people remaining there. Mr Justice Eyre granted the interim injunction, with the case to be heard in full in October, after hearing EFDC's complaints that planning law had been breached in changing the site's use from its "sole lawful use" as a hotel.

Somani hotels challenged the decision at the court of appeal, as did the Home Office, which had been refused permission by Eyre to be an intervener in the case.

What did the court of appeal decide and why? The three justices said both Somani hotels and the Home Office, which it permitted to be an intervener in the case (ie a third party to the case), could appeal against Eyre's decision and quashed the injunction in the meantime.