A council in Epping, Essex, has been refused an application to appeal against a ruling allowing asylum seekers to continue to be housed at a hotel in the area.
Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) wanted permission to appeal to the the Supreme Court against the Court of Appealâs ruling which was made last week.
The Bell Hotel in Epping became the focal point of several demonstrations and counter-protests in recent weeks after a resident asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl last month.
He has denied the charges.
The council was granted an interim injunction to stop 138 asylum seekers being housed there before a successful Court of Appeal challenge from the Home Office and the hotelâs owners, Somani Hotels, overturned the High Court ruling.
EFDC said âno reasons were givenâ following its unsuccessful application for permission to appeal the most recent judgment, with the council now open to ask the Supreme Court itself for the green light.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, leader of EFDC, said: âWe believe the Court of Appeal decision to overturn the interim injunction for the closure of the Bell Hotel was wrong.
âHowever, this is not the end of the matter. We consider we have a strong case for a final injunction.
âThe final injunction hearing is expected to be heard some time in early October.
âIn the meantime, the council is keeping all our options open, including seeking permission from the Supreme Court to appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal.â
Mr Whitbread also urged protesters to act âconsiderately and calmlyâ should they continue with regular demonstrations as schools return.
He said: âAs I a walk through Epping people talk to me. There are all shades of opinion, but I sense most residents support our action to close the Bell Hotel.
âHowever, I also get a sense that they are tired and need some respite from the disturbances that have taken place in the last few weeks.
âI support the right of local people to peacefully protest. However, following further disturbances and arrests by Essex Police, I am approaching the other group leaders on Epping Forest District Council and other community leaders to jointly ask protesters to reflect on whether they continue with the twice-weekly local protests.
âIf you choose to continue, it should be done considerately and calmly, with awareness of the impact on local residents and the local economy. The people of Epping are under great strain.
âAs schools return this week, I appeal to the protest organisers to show restraint and give our families and children some much needed respite.â
