Overview
- Mr Justice Mould dismissed Epping Forest District Council’s claim for a permanent injunction, allowing asylum seekers to continue staying at the Bell Hotel.
- The judge said the injunction was not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control.
- Somani Hotels opposed the case on the basis there was no material change of use, and the Home Office intervened to call the council’s bid misconceived.
- An earlier temporary injunction granted to the council was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August as seriously flawed in principle.
- The site has been a focal point for protests following criminal cases involving two residents, and a hotel sign was reported defaced hours before the ruling.