The council revealed that Home Office contractor Clearsprings Ready Homes intends to procure eight flats in Buckhurst Hill to accommodate asylum-seeking families.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping Forest District Council, has written an open letter to Prime Minister Kier Starmer and senior ministers urging them to reconsider the plan.
Cllr Whitbread said: “I write to you jointly with a sense of disbelief following the receipt of a notice by Clearsprings Ready Homes indicating its intention to procure eight flats in Buckhurst Hill to accommodate asylum seeking families.
“As you will all be aware, Epping Forest District Council currently hosts two Home Office Asylum Seeker hotels within our district.
“The Phoenix was partially destroyed at the beginning of this year in an arson attack perpetrated by one of the residents.
“The Bell has been the focus of severe public protests, disturbances, ongoing demonstrations, and significant community tensions, not to mention enormous drain on police resources since the arrest and conviction of Hadush Kebatu for sexual offences committed during the summer.
“You will also recall that Kebatu became the subject of a police manhunt following his mistaken release from Chelmsford Prison, exacerbating the significant community tensions already present within our district.
“The impact of the housing of asylum seekers within our district is hard to overstate.
“The last year has been catastrophic for our community, with fear, anxiety and protests spilling out from Epping across our district to include areas such as Waltham Abbey, Loughton and Buckhurst Hill.
“I urge you to reconsider, intervene and stop this ludicrous proposal before it goes any further.”
The letter was addressed to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Housing Secretary Steve Reed, Justice Secretary David Lammy, and Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson.
Cllr Whitbread argued that the proposals show “crass insensitivity” and are “incomprehensible,” especially in light of recent policy changes announced by the Home Secretary.
He warned that the housing of additional asylum seekers would further destabilise the community and undermine efforts to restore calm.
