Overview

• The Home Office and Somani Hotels asked the Court of Appeal to lift a High Court order that blocks use of the Bell Hotel for asylum accommodation after 12 September.
• Government lawyers warned the ruling risks encouraging further protests at asylum sites and sought to overturn the earlier refusal to let the Home Secretary intervene.
• Epping Forest District Council argued the case rests on established planning principles, said it sets no precedent, and defended the interim order as lawfully reasoned.
• Somani’s counsel said 138 residents would face hardship if moved and that losing the Bell’s places would strain a system housing about 32,000 people in hotels.
• Lord Justice Bean, Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb said judgment will be handed down at 2pm Friday, as Essex Police imposed a face-coverings order near the hotel ahead of fresh protests.