Colchester City Council is aware of the recent decision to grant Epping Forest District Council an injunction preventing the Bell Hotel from being used as accommodation for asylum seekers.
We want to reassure residents that this ruling does not affect Colchester. There are currently no asylum hotels in the Colchester area, and the Government’s policy remains that no new hotels will be commissioned for this purpose.
Colchester City Council has not been involved in any discussions regarding the use of hotels for asylum accommodation, and we have received no indication that this situation will change. Our understanding is that the former RAF base at Wethersfield, near Braintree, is currently only accepting new arrivals rather than transfers from other hotels.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “I understand that residents may have concerns following the issues around the Bell Hotel, but this does not impact Colchester. There are no asylum hotels in our area or any planned. Our priority remains the wellbeing of our residents – of every background. If anything changes, we will keep them informed and engaged every step of the way.”
We want to reassure residents that this ruling does not affect Colchester. There are currently no asylum hotels in the Colchester area, and the Government’s policy remains that no new hotels will be commissioned for this purpose.
Colchester City Council has not been involved in any discussions regarding the use of hotels for asylum accommodation, and we have received no indication that this situation will change. Our understanding is that the former RAF base at Wethersfield, near Braintree, is currently only accepting new arrivals rather than transfers from other hotels.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “I understand that residents may have concerns following the issues around the Bell Hotel, but this does not impact Colchester. There are no asylum hotels in our area or any planned. Our priority remains the wellbeing of our residents – of every background. If anything changes, we will keep them informed and engaged every step of the way.”
Page last reviewed: 21 August 2025