AN extraordinary meeting of Epping Forest District Council is to be held next week.

Councillors are to consider a single item under the heading:

‘Consideration of Judgement of the High Court of Justice King’s Bench Division dated 11 November 2025, between: Epping Forest District Council and Somani Hotels Limited and (1) Secretary of State for the Home Department and (2) Clearsprings Ready Homes Limited, and consideration and agreement of next steps’

Councillors will be asked to pass a resolution that the meeting on 25 November will be held in private.

Spokesperson for Epping Forest District Council said: “Constitutionally, we must start the council meeting in public, but it will be a one item agenda. The first substantive item will therefore be to move into private session, at which point (assuming councillors agree) members of the public would be asked to leave.

“We realise this may disappoint some residents. We don’t want to put people to the inconvenience of applying for an entry ticket and making a wasted journey. Ultimately, we will be as transparent as possible, but privacy is absolutely essential at this stage if we are to ensure the council is best placed to achieve the best outcome for our residents.”

Separately, the council is now actively exploring what other planning enforcement options it could pursue against Somani Hotels for alleged breach of planning controls at The Bell Hotel.

Spokesperson for Epping Forest District Council said: “Planning enforcement is not a quick process and just as is the case with planning applications, Somani Hotels have a right of appeal for enforcement action, during which time The Bell is likely to continue as asylum seeker accommodation unless Somani Hotels discontinue making it available for this purpose of their own accord.”

Epping Forest District Council must apply to the High Court for permission to lodge an appeal no later than 18 November.

The earliest the council can reasonably hold an extraordinary council meeting is Tuesday 25 November. However, an application to appeal is not binding and the council could subsequently withdraw without further significant costs.

Apply for a ticket on Eventbrite to Council on 25 November 2025