In a unanimous decision, the Epping Forest District Council has called on the UK government to shut down the Bell Hotel in Essex, which currently accommodates asylum seekers. The council has also launched a public petition hoping to spark a parliamentary debate after amassing over 90,000 signatures.

Councillor Holly Whitbread has been vocal, urging the community to use "democratic means" to express their discontent. "The government has ignored us for too long," Whitbread stated, highlighting the lack of consultation with local authorities and residents before reopening the Bell Hotel as asylum housing.

The council's motion, though legally non-binding, reflects a broader frustration with the government's handling of asylum accommodations. Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the government is obliged to provide support to destitute asylum seekers, a responsibility that includes housing. The UK is also bound by the 1951 Refugee Convention and the Human Rights Act 1998 to uphold basic human rights, such as adequate shelter and food.

Tensions escalated following an incident involving an asylum seeker at the Bell Hotel, leading to ongoing protests since July 8. The situation has been further complicated by reports of violence and disorder at these demonstrations, resulting in several arrests.

Previous statements from the council have criticized the Home Office for the undue pressure placed on local infrastructure and services due to the makeshift use of the Bell Hotel for asylum seekers. This sentiment is echoed by other councils like Stoke-on-Trent, which have also opposed similar arrangements in their jurisdictions.

Despite these motions and public outcry, the use of hotels for emergency asylum housing continues, driven by a backlog in asylum processing and a shortage of appropriate accommodations, as reported by the National Audit Office in 2023.

As the debate intensifies, the Epping Forest District Council remains steadfast in its call for immediate action, highlighting a significant clash between local governance and national immigration policies.