Up to two dozen refugees fleeing devastating conflict in Syria will be housed in Epping Forest over the next four years.

Speaking at a meeting of Epping Forest District Council last night (September 29), councillor David Stallan said the district will take up to six refugees a year for four years.

They will be housed in empty council properties, although cllr. Stallan said private companies could also potentially be asked for help.

He said: “I think all members were affected by the images that we saw on the TV and social media regarding the refugees trying to move from Turkey over to Europe… that was a turning point.

“We will assist up to six refugees each year for the next four years, using accommodation of one one-bedroom and one two-bedroom property.”

Following the announcement, councillor Stephen Murray said he was “certainly not happy” with the news.

Although he said he was “very happy that we have decided to help”, he noted “residents of Epping Forest will have very mixed views on this issue”.

He added: “Unfortunately the course of action we have decided upon means that the response to help does not fall on all of the Epping Forest community but on those on our waiting list…

“Therefore our response is essentially unfair.”

Responding to the criticism, cllr. Stallan said he balanced “local demand for housing” when making the decision.

Councillor Brian Surtees called on the wider community to welcome and support refugees.

He said: “A situation which needs not only a response from local authorities but a response from the widest possible section of the community to try and make sure everything is done to ensure that those people in such need have their human rights respected and their needs met.”

A petition set up at the start of September has seen 148 people call for the council to house the far higher amount of 50 refugee families.