The UK Court of Appeal has overturned a temporary injunction that would have required asylum seekers to vacate The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, but local councils across England are persisting with legal challenges to prevent similar accommodations, citing planning violations and public safety risks. This ruling, delivered on 29 August 2025, has intensified the national debate over asylum seeker housing.
In a significant decision, Lord Justice Bean, along with Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb, set aside the interim injunction granted by the High Court, which had ordered the evacuation of 138 asylum seekers by 12 September. The court found that the lower court judge made errors in principle, including giving weight to protests outside the hotel, which could incentivize further lawlessness, and failing to consider the systemic impact of closing accommodation sites.
Despite this setback, Epping Forest District Council is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court, with council leader Chris Whitbread stating they are ‘ruling nothing out.’ Other councils, such as Reform-controlled West Northamptonshire and Conservative-run Broxbourne, have confirmed they will continue with their own legal actions. Reform UK has urged all its controlled councils to explore similar measures.
The case has sparked widespread protests, with anti-immigration and counter-demonstrations occurring in locations like Warrington, Skegness, and Falkirk. Police have made several arrests and implemented dispersal orders to maintain order. In Epping, protests began after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault, though he denies the allegations.
Politically, the ruling has drawn sharp criticism. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described it as a ‘setback but not the end’ and encouraged councils to ‘keep going.’ Reform UK’s Nigel Farage accused the government of prioritizing ‘illegal immigrants’ over British citizens. In contrast, Home Office minister Angela Eagle defended the decision, stating it allows for a ‘controlled and orderly’ phase-out of hotel use by the end of the parliament.
The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has risen to 32,059, up from previous years, and the government is processing a record number of applications. A full hearing on the permanent injunction for The Bell Hotel is scheduled for October, which will determine the long-term outcome.
This ongoing legal and political battle highlights the challenges of balancing human rights, local concerns, and immigration policy, with potential precedents for future cases.