Badenoch urges Conservative councils to follow Epping in seeking injunctions over asylum hotels

The leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has encouraged the country's 35 Conservative-run councils to take the same steps as Epping Forest District Council in seeking injunctions against hotels accommodating asylum seekers.

Details: 21.Aug.2025

Epping secured an interim injunction on Tuesday (19 August) after arguing the hotel's use as asylum accommodation amounted to a change of use.

A number of councils - including Spelthorne Borough Council and Broxbourne District Council - have since announced that they are seeking legal advice about launching injunction applications against hotels in their own areas.

In an open letter sent on Thursday (21 August), Badenoch said: "I am encouraging Conservative council leaders to take the same steps [as Epping] if your legal advice supports it.

"Of course, when councils make planning decisions, it is important that due process is followed, and decisions by planning councillors should be made with an open mind.

"Whether or not a particular premises requires change of use planning permission will depend on the individual circumstances of the case."

She said councils should also consult with their planning officers on other planning enforcement options in relation to unauthorised development or change of use.

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Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage, has also responded to the interim injunction decision by announcing that councils run by his party would do "everything in their power to follow Epping's lead".

He also called on members of the public to hold "peaceful protests" outside hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers in order to "put pressure on local councils to go to court".

Protests outside of asylum hotels have been controversial and have sometimes been linked with public order concerns.

In Epping, councillors cited protests and disruption following criminal charges against asylum seekers as one of the reasons for seeking legal action.

Adam Carey

See also: What the Epping Forest injunction case means for local authorities across England - Jack Barber looks at the lessons from Epping Forest District Council’s successful application for an interim injunction against the accommodation of asylum seekers in a local hotel.