Conservative councillors in Altrincham are urging Trafford Council to use the same legal mechanism used in Epping to close the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham from being used to house asylum seekers
Conservative Councillors are warning that the ongoing use of contingency hotel accommodation is wrong, unsafe, and unsustainable—and must be shut down now, before an incident occurs.
The move follows the High Court ruling on Tuesday after Epping Forest district council was granted a temporary injunction blocking the Bell Hotel from being used to house migrants on Tuesday and reports this morning that up to 80 councils may be considering the same move
In a letter sent to the council Council, local Tories argued that failure to act would be “seen as disregarding both legal precedent and the will of local residents”.
“It is a matter of record that the hotel has not applied for, nor been granted, planning permission for a change of use. The question of whether this use constitutes a material change is ultimately a legal matter, but recent case law is highly relevant.”
The letter added: “We therefore urge Trafford Council to review its current position in light of the High Court’s judgment.
“Specifically, we ask that the Council takes steps to… reassess whether the Cresta Court’s current use constitutes a material change of use under planning law.”
Residents in Altrincham were told about migrants staying at the Cresta Court hotel in October 2024, triggering protests and counter-protests. Up to 300 asylum seekers have been living at the hotel since October.
