Epping Council has been denied the chance to appeal a ruling to the Supreme Court over asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel.
Epping Forest District Council said in a statement posted on its website: “No reasons were given.
“It is now open for the council to ask the Supreme Court itself for permission to appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Protesters at an anti-immigration demonstration in Epping in August. File pic: Reuters
“The council has consistently opposed the use of The Bell Hotel to place asylum-seekers, which is in breach of planning control and is against the interests of those living in, working in and using the area.”
Councillor Chris Whitbread, the council’s leader, said in a statement on the website that Tuesday’s decision was “wrong” and accused Court of Appeal judges of putting “the secretary of state’s duties towards asylum seekers above those of the council to uphold the planning system”.
He said “this is not the end of the matter,” as “we consider we have a strong case for a final injunction.
“The council is keeping all our options open, including seeking permission from the Supreme Court to appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal.”
Multiple demonstrations have been held outside the hotel in Essex since 13 July after an asylum seeker was charged with the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
His trial began last week and is due to conclude later this week.
Last month, the council won the right to temporarily block asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel, which is owned by Somani Hotels Limited.
Under the terms of a High Court interim injunction, occupants had to leave by 12 September.
But the Home Office and the hotel’s owners appealed the judgement and won their case at the Court of Appeal.
Pic: PA
The initial court ruling centred on the change in use of the premises without consent from the local authority, but appeal court judges backed the government’s side.
Earlier on Tuesday, a man and a woman were charged over their part in Sunday’s demonstrations.
Essex Police said Sarah White, 40, of Chigwell, and Scott Davey, 32, of Nazeing, were arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 14 order, which was put in place by police to designate where people could assemble.
A 22-year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, over allegations that a banner was set alight on Friday, the force said.
Also on Tuesday, a judge told a man who admitted violence outside the hotel earlier this summer that he should expect to be sent to jail.
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Martin Peagram pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to violent disorder after protesting outside the hotel on 17 July.
Judge Jamie Sawyer told the court: “Mr Peagram must understand the likely sentence will be an immediate prison sentence.”
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