Asylum seekers are slated to be removed from an Essex hotel following a temporary High Court injunction granted to the local council, effectively preventing their accommodation at the site.
Epping Forest District Council sought the injunction to halt the placement of migrants at The Bell Hotel in Epping, owned by Somani Hotels Limited.
In recent weeks, thousands have protested near the hotel after an asylum seeker residing there was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in the town.
Mr. Justice Eyre delivered his judgment after rejecting a last-minute appeal from the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to dismiss the council’s case.
The judge mandated that all asylum seekers must vacate the hotel by 16:00 BST on September 12.
The Home Office had cautioned that the decision would “substantially impact” its capacity to accommodate asylum seekers in hotels nationwide.
Demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel have drawn participants both opposed to its use for asylum seekers and supportive of migrant rights.
Conservative council leader Chris Whitbread stated that the recurring demonstrations were escalating tensions in the area and risked causing “irreparable harm.”
Reacting to the court ruling, he added: “The last few weeks have placed an intolerable strain on our community but today we have some great news.
“For the first time in weeks we can see a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.”
Sixteen individuals have been charged with offenses related to disturbances during several protests, which Essex Police reported occasionally turned violent.
Representing the council, Philip Coppel KC acknowledged that some protests “have unfortunately been attended by violence and disorder.”
He argued that Somani Hotels “did not advise or notify the local planning authority” to seek its views on the use of the site, which he contended was no longer a hotel in the traditional sense.
He told the court it was “no more a hotel than a borstal [was] to a young offender”.
Lawyers for the hotel and Home Secretary confirmed in court their intention to appeal the injunction before a full hearing scheduled for the autumn.
This followed a failed last-minute attempt by the Home Office to have the case dismissed.
Edward Brown KC, representing the government, argued that any injunction could prompt other councils to file similar applications.
“That would aggravate the pressures on the asylum estate,” he added.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the ruling as a “victory for parents and concerned residents of Epping.”
“This community stood up bravely, despite being slandered as far right, and have won. They represent the vast majority of decent people in this country,” he added.
Protests initiated outside the building after 41-year-old Hadush Kebatu, from Ethiopia, was charged with sexual assault, harassment, and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.
He denied the offenses and remained in custody awaiting a two-day trial, scheduled to begin the following Tuesday.
A final decision on the plan, which has divided opinion in the coastal town, will be made in September.
Hundreds of protesters faced off at the weekend at a former Falkirk hotel used to house asylum seekers.
Several men facing charges of violent disorder are appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The Irish novelist says “if this makes me a supporter of terror under UK law, so be it”.
Police confirm the protest and counter protest in Dudley went off “without significant incident”.