East Riding of Yorkshire Council has asked the High Court to continue an interim injunction preventing migrants from being housed at the Humber View Hotel in Hull. This was granted after the Home Office approached with a proposal to use the site. Ipswich City Council has also asked for an extension of an interim order to stop further asylum seekers being placed in the four-star Novotel hotel in Ipswich town centre, which is already housing 72 people. Earlier this month, the council’s lawyers argued that there had been an “unauthorised material change of use” under planning rules through the Home Office’s attempts to reserve accommodation in Hull and Ipswich. They argued that the interim injunctions could be extended by four to six weeks before a final hearing on the issues in the cases. But on Friday afternoon, a judge refused to extend the injunction, saying it was the Home Office’s “statutory duty” to provide accommodation for asylum seekers “who would otherwise be homeless”. “Offer is limited” “Continuing the injunction would also cause other significant harm in any event,” Mr Justice Holgate said. “The asylum seekers who would be accommodated in these two hotels are entitled to have their asylum applications processed. “Some will be successful. Some will not. It is undisputed that the merits of these claims are of no consequence in this proceeding.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:49 Asylum seekers say rotten food is making them sick Read more: Channel crossings hit record for one day Where do US migrants come from and how do they get there? A teenager was allegedly raped in a hotel housing refugees The judge continued: “In reality, if either or both of the injunctions were to continue, the Home Office would have to look elsewhere. “It is clear from the evidence that it is difficult to secure hotels suitable for single-use contracts. Supply is limited.” The decision follows a failed attempt by Stoke-on-Trent City Council earlier this month to continue a temporary injunction preventing migrants from being housed at the 88-room North Stafford Hotel near the city’s train station.
