Council takes action following Epping Forest High Court ruling

21 August 2025

Action is under way at West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to take similar legal and planning steps to Epping Forest District Council over asylum hotels in its area.

The Council is actively reviewing the evidence and information it holds as part of preparing a robust case against the use of the three hotels in its area being used by the Home Office for asylum accommodation. It is important that the Council has strong evidence similar to that presented in the Epping Forest case to ensure the chances of its success in future legal action, and given the significant future cost of this to its local taxpayers.

“We have started collating the evidence we need to prepare a robust case against the use of these hotels for asylum accommodation. We know residents are concerned by the use of these hotels as asylum accommodation and we will do everything we can within our powers to keep our communities safe.

“The Epping Forest case opens a new legal pathway for us to explore. But it would be irresponsible of us to start a legal action, such as seeking an injunction, without knowing we have the evidence we need for a successful outcome to the case. This type of action is costly and we must be absolutely clear on the consequences for our taxpayers on any potential decision we make.”Councillor Mark Arnull, Leader of WNC

Cllr Arnull added that the use and locations of the three hotels in West Northants had never been suitable for asylum accommodation and continued to place unreasonable and unsustainable strain on local services. He recently wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister about the wider use of asylum accommodation in the community, along with raising these issues and concerns with the Home Office.