"Epping Forest District Council said the government and its contractor Clearsprings no longer intended to buy eight flats in Buckhurst Hill. The plan had faced strong objections from the community and the authority's leader, Chris Whitbread, suggested the proposal was "tone deaf" to residents' concerns in a letter to the Prime Minister."
""The impact of events over the last six months has been deeply felt across our district and has created significant challenges for community cohesion and public safety," he added."
""This withdrawal shows that Clearsprings and the Home Office have listened to us, seen sense, and taken the right decision," Whitbread said."
The government and contractor Clearsprings withdrew plans to purchase eight flats in Buckhurst Hill for use as migrant accommodation. The proposal faced strong objections from local residents and Epping Forest District Council leadership, with council leader Chris Whitbread describing the plan as tone deaf in a letter to the Prime Minister. Protests followed earlier incidents after an asylum seeker at The Bell Hotel in Epping was charged and later jailed for sexual offences. Two hotels in Epping were already being used by the Home Office. Residents reported fear, uncertainty and pressure on local resources; the withdrawal was presented as the right decision.
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