A High Court judge rejected the Home Office intervening in Epping Forest District Council's bid for a temporary injunction to block asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping.

Barristers for the department told a hearing on Tuesday that the Home Office should be allowed to be involved in the case as the injunction bid "is not simply a narrow planning concern".

The barristers added that it had “significant impacts more widely” on its ability to house asylum seekers in hotels.

Somani Hotels Limited, which owns the hotel and also opposes the injunction bid, said the department should be allowed to intervene despite the council resisting the move.

Mr Justice Eyre said: “It is my assessment that the joinder of the (Home Secretary) is not necessary so the court can determine all matters in dispute in proceedings.“

"Nor is there an issue which it is desirable to have the (Home Secretary) so the court can resolve it," Justice Eyre added.

“The consequences of the (Home Secretary) joining would be the loss of yet further court time. The impact of that is significant.”

Justice Eyre is set to hand down his ruling imminently.

Protesters gather in Epping outside an asylum hotel in July | PA