Asylum-seekers lodging in Southend now face even more uncertainty, after councillors voted to oust them from some of the town's hotels.

Southend Council development control committee decided unanimously to take enforcement action against hotels and guest houses being used as hostels without special permission.

The council wants the buildings back as hotels and guest houses - in line with the council's tourism and regeneration policies.

There was no discussion on the issue at the meeting.

Councillors rubber-stamped recommendations made by council officers, so legal action can now begin against the premises.

One of those affected is the Estuary Hotel, in The Leas, Westcliff, with 17 letting rooms occupied when council officers inspected it, by 36 people.

The report stated: "All of the occupants appear to be seeking asylum and to have been placed there by the social services departments of various local authorities."

This was causing the loss of hotel accommodation in Southend, it was claimed.

The report said that asylum seekers were being placed in multi-occupied houses, adding: "This is leading to difficulties in finding accommodation for local homeless single people."

Also targeted were four addresses in westcliff - the Redstone Hotel, Pembury Road, with 27 letting rooms and 42 occupants; a property in Marine Avenue, with ten letting rooms and 21 occupants including nine children; a property in Wilson Road, which has nine letting rooms and 18 occupants; and a house in Ramuz Drive, with nine occupants.

Michael Chittenden, owner of the Estuary Hotel, said: "I don't agree with the claim that we use hotels as hostels . We feel we are using them as hotels on a temporary basis.

"At the moment, off season, we are using them for asylum seekers and homeless people as there is a need."

Mr Chittenden said that he would wait to see if any planning enforcement notices were served and would deal with them on a legal basis.

He added that the conditions provided in the hotel were good, with large rooms, natural light and the provision of televisions and English lessons to help people.

He said: "The asylum seekers' issue needs to be tackled nationally. If Southend boots them out, where are they going to go?"

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