Asylum seekers are likely to be moved out of Maldon.

They have been told to get out by Maldon District Council, and now the company which runs Mill House in Langford, where they have been staying, has decided not to fight the ruling.

The council issued an enforcement notice saying that the building, a former residential home for the elderly, did not have planning permission to be used as a hostel for asylum seekers.

At first the company, The Estuarys Ltd, wanted to fight the decision on four separate grounds, but now it is only arguing the amount of time it will take them to move the refugees out.

The enforcement notice gave them three months to get out, but the company says it will need six.

A report due to go before the council's north western area committee asks councillors to agree the extra three months saying that is how long it would take to find suitable accommodation for the asylum seekers elsewhere.

If the councillors agree, it would overcome the need for any appeal.

Now council officers are recommending to the comittee, which meets on Monday, that councillors agree to the extension until January next year.

Refugees living at Mill House have been largely welcomed by the community, some of whom have formed a support group.

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