Telford & Wrekin Conservatives open talks with Epping Councillors after High Court victory 

The Telford & Wrekin Conservative Group have opened discussions with Conservative colleagues in Epping Forest to learn how they were successful in securing a High Court injunction against the government over the use of local hotels to house migrants. 

The move comes as the group increases pressure on the Labour administration in Telford & Wrekin to take stronger action on the issue. 

In Telford & Wrekin, asylum seekers have been housed in two hotels. “Across towns and communities up and down the UK, residents are looking for their voices to matter again,” said Cllr Andrew Eade, Conservative Group Leader, Telford & Wrekin. 

“Since last summer, Telford & Wrekin has seen a 251% surge in those on asylum support while two major hotels remain out of community use. The success in Epping shows councils can stand up and assert their local powers, and we are determined to explore every avenue to protect Telford & Wrekin.

“We are in close contact with colleagues at the Conservative Councillors Association and colleagues in Epping who have shown that it is possible to take a stand and win. 

Telford & Wrekin deserves that same determination. Our towns are not dumping grounds for failed government schemes. Local people must come first, and that means using hotels for visitors and jobs, not as overflow accommodation. 

“The courts have made it clear that councils do have powers – the problem here in Telford is that Labour don’t have the will to use them. This is not about political point-scoring. It is about fairness, planning rules, and standing up for the people of Telford & Wrekin who feel ignored.” 

The Epping injunction centred on breaches of planning permission and was upheld by the High Court, with asylum seekers ordered to be moved out of the Bell Hotel by 12 September 2025. 

Telford & Wrekin Conservatives say they will continue pressing the Labour-run council to put residents first and explore whether a similar approach could be taken locally.

A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesperson said:  “Hotels housing asylum seekers in our Borough are managed by the Government and Serco and have been since their first use in 2021. 

“We are in continual contact with Serco about their management, and work closely with the Police to ensure robust policing across our communities.  

“We will also continue to monitor the ongoing national situation, including the appeal to the temporary High Court injunction issued in relation to Epping.”

The government have pledged to end the use of hotels for housing migrants by the end of this parliament.