Chinese Embassy Plans for London Face Legal and Security Warning from Top Planning Lawyer

Ministers risk breaching UK law if they approve China’s new super-embassy at the former Royal Mint site in central London, according to a formal opinion by esteemed planning barrister Lord Banner KC. His assessment comes on the heels of significant controversy: Chinese consultants have redacted large sections of the application documents and withheld details even when specifically requested by government officials.

China has staunchly pursued the ambition to establish its largest embassy in Europe, strategically positioned near the Tower of London. This mega-embassy proposal has faced persistent concerns from security agencies and counterterrorism authorities, who have highlighted the unprecedented opacity of the application. The ability to scrutinise the internal layout and use of significant parts of the building has been deliberately obstructed by the redactions. Banner KC warned that, if approved, China would effectively obtain carte blanche operational rights over areas shrouded in secrecy, with UK authorities powerless to enforce compliance through planning conditions.

The case has ignited substantial local resistance, as the complex would likely require residents to vacate their homes. Campaigners have already mobilised resources to launch a legal challenge should approval be granted, setting the stage for a judicial review in the courts that could force the government to reveal private correspondence and guarantees given to Beijing. Transparency lessons from past planning disputes indicate judicial reviews are disruptive and could have significant political repercussions for the current administration.

Statements from the opposition have been unequivocal. David Simmonds, Conservative shadow minister for housing, stated that approving this embassy would hand China unchecked operational freedom in one of London’s most sensitive locations, stressing the security implications of such discretion. Whitehall has also weathered warnings from the White House about the critical risks of permitting a Chinese diplomatic stronghold within proximity to the City of London’s commercial heart.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged to President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro that the application was “called in” for careful consideration following diplomatic discussions. The spotlight now falls on Steve Reed, who, as the recently appointed housing secretary, must issue a decision by 21 October, amid mounting calls for the government to prioritise national security and the interests of residents over international diplomatic pressures.

The Chinese embassy maintains that its application follows international and local protocols, framing the plans as part of reciprocal efforts by both countries to renew embassy facilities. Yet, the unprecedented secrecy and resistance to scrutiny have sharpened suspicion and stoked calls for transparent and lawful planning practice. The High Court could soon become the final arbiter in one of the highest-profile planning battles London has seen for years.