Accommodating Asylum Seekers - Planning & Licensing Issues Explored

Introduction

Accommodating asylum seekers has become a significant challenge in recent months. Central and local government have increasingly engaged with various associated legal issues. Several high-profile cases have ended up in court.

This webinar will summarise and explore recent developments in the area, including litigation updates. The focus of the webinar will be predominantly on the planning context there will be some consideration of other licensing and housing standards issues. Future developments will also be considered including proposed legislative changes.

The webinar will interest all persons tasked with ensuring the effective regulation of planning and housing in their area including local planning authorities, and those advising hotel and hostel companies facing uncertainty about whether certain uses of their premises might infringe legal requirements.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• The evolving policy and legal context
• The changing nature of asylum accommodation
• Relevant legal and policy frameworks (including permitted development rights, local plan policies, and the HMO licensing regime)
• Legal issues arising (including injunctions under s.187B and public law challenges)
• Future developments

This webinar was recorded on 31st August 2023