Title

PLANNING

Council obtains injunction to stop hotel housing asylum seekers

Great Yarmouth BC has obtained an injunction to stop a second hotel from being used as a hostel for asylum seekers.

Great Yarmouth BC has obtained an injunction to stop a second hotel from being used as a hostel for asylum seekers.

In July around 50 asylum seekers were placed in the town's Hotel Victoria as part of a Home Office scheme.

Whitehall officials had planned to use the town's Embassy Hotel as part of the same scheme but the council sought an injunction on the basis that using the hotel as a hostel would be an unauthorised change of use, requiring planning permission.

The court order prevents the use of the Embassy Hotel as a hostel for accommodating asylum seekers until the end of November, when a full hearing will take place.

Council leader Carl Smith said: ‘We will continue to help support the asylum seekers placed in the town and who have no control over where they are housed.

‘We do have a responsibility though to enforce planning laws and make sure local residents and businesses all play by the same rules and are protected from unauthorised and inappropriate use of local properties.'

PLANNING

Durham tightens HMO rules

By Paul Marinko | 29 July 2025

Durham CC’s Reform administration has tightened Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMO) rules after its leader revealed they were looking at such measures to addr...

PLANNING

Rising to the rough sleeper challenge in Peterborough

By Kelly Slack | 29 July 2025

A new initiative unique to Peterborough offers temporary accommodation in new homes for up to 17 people with multiple and complex needs. Kelly Slack explains.

PLANNING

Epping Forest councillors urge Government to close asylum hotel

By Joe Lepper | 25 July 2025

Councillors in Epping Forest have voted unanimously to call on the Government to ‘immediately and permanently’ close a hotel to asylum seekers after a series...

PLANNING

Fresh criticism of Home Office on asylum

By Neil Merrick | 22 July 2025

Relations between councils and the Home Office soured further this week after the department was accused of failing to communicate properly over housing asyl...

Popular articles by William Eichler