Ministers will decide whether China is allowed to build its controversial new super embassy in east London after the plans were “called in” by the Government this week.
The huge proposed consulate opposite Tower Bridge was refused by Tower Hamlets council in December 2022 and China was believed to have abandoned the plans.
But Beijing resubmitted them in August without making any major changes.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Friday confirmed that Secretary of State Angela Rayner had “called in” the scheme.
An inspector will now hold a public inquiry into the project before ministers make a final decision.
A Government spokesman said the application “raised planning issues of more than local importance”. “Applications for a new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets have been called in for Ministers to decide,” he added.
“A final decision will be made in due course.”
The Chinese Government bought the former Royal Mint six years ago to create one of the largest embassies in the world.
Tower Hamlets councillors rejected the scheme despite planning officers describing it as “well-designed” and recommending approval.They cited the potential harm to surrounding heritage site, such as the Tower of London, and the impact of the development on residents living in the neighbouring Royal Mint Estate.
Campaigners and local politicians had also voiced their protest due to China’s repression of the Muslim Uyghur people. Tower Hamlets is the local authority with the highest proportion of Muslim residents in the country at almost 40 per cent.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan upheld the council’s decision in February 2023.
China then missed the deadline to appeal to the planning inspectorate, apparently ending the saga.
However the proposals, which include refurbishing the Grade II-listed Johnson Smirke Building and Seaman’s Register, were resubmitted in August.
A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in London said: “Six years ago, the Chinese government purchased the Royal Mint Court, London for the use as the new Chinese embassy premises. The UK government had given its consent to this.
“Now we are in the process of applying for planning permission.
“The resubmitted planning application has taken into full consideration the UK’s planning policy and guidance as well as opinions of all relevant parties. This is a high-quality development scheme.
“Host countries have the international obligation to support and facilitate the building of the premises of diplomatic missions.
“Both China and the UK have the need to build a new embassy in each other’s capital, and the two sides should provide facilitation to each other.”
