High Court ruling halts use of Great Yarmouth hotels for housing asylum seekers
Last year it was revealed dozens of people were being housed at Hotel Victoria
Last updated 12th May 2023
Accommodation on Great Yarmouth seafront can no longer be used to house migrants waiting for asylum applications to be processed.
That's because the council have won in the High Court - after taking legal action against the government to prevent seafront hotels being used to house asylum seekers.
It argued that any use as a hostel would be an unauthorised change and would require planning permission.
A spokesperson for Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: "Our town has a long and proud history of welcoming and supporting people from all over the world. We continue to help support asylum seekers placed in the town who have no control over where they are accommodated.
"However, we have a responsibility to enforce planning laws and make sure local residents and businesses all play by the same rules and are protected from unauthorised and inappropriate use of local properties.
''Tourism, and the economic benefits it affords the town, are crucial and it was essential we took this action to protect the sector and those it supports.
''The council argued its case on planning grounds and this verdict demonstrates the importance of having an up-to date-plan and a very clear planning policy to support our actions.''
Last year it was revealed dozens of people were being housed at Hotel Victoria - with several other hotels in the town also planned to take people arriving via small boats.