Council outlines new legal action on Epping hotel

The Epping Forest District Council has announced plans to take legal action against the owners of The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. The move comes as part of an ongoing dispute over the management and future of the historic hotel. The council's decision follows a recent court ruling that granted the hotel's owners, Epping Land Limited, the right to appeal against an earlier enforcement notice. This notice had required the owners to either refurbish or demolish the hotel, which has fallen into disrepair. The council now intends to challenge the court's decision, arguing that the hotel's current condition poses a threat to public safety. Officials have expressed concerns about the building's structural integrity and the potential for accidents or injuries to the public. The dispute over The Bell Hotel has been ongoing for several years, with the council and the owners at odds over the property's future. The latest legal action represents the latest chapter in this ongoing saga, as the two sides continue to battle over the hotel's fate.