Neighbours residing subsequent to proposed Chinese mega-embassy sue authorities over ‘illegal and unfair’ resolution to approve plans – as they insist it would go away them ‘unsafe’
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Neighbours living next to the proposed Chinese mega-embassy near the Tower of London are taking the government to court over its decision to approve planning permission as residents fear for their safety.
Residents from around 100 homes near the proposed site at Royal Mint Court allege the government’s decision to approve permission for the embassy was ‘unlawful, procedurally unfair, and failed to take into account key factors’.
The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association has now filed a claim at the High Court.
It said there are concerns about the safety of people living nearby, national security risks and whether planning permission controls can be enforced on diplomatic land.
Members of the association live in around 100 homes in St Mary Graces Court, next to the proposed site at Royal Mint Court.
Represented by law firm Leigh Day, the association wants a High Court judge to overturn the government’s approval, which was announced on January 20.
They say the government did not consider the effect on local people of potential protests against China and that money spent on securing sensitive telecommunications links near the site was not openly assessed as part of the decision.
Ricardo Gama, a partner at Leigh Day, said: ‘When a development of this scale is placed directly alongside people’s homes, it is essential that the government demonstrates it has fully considered the risks and followed a fair and open process.
Residents of Royal Mint Court allege the government’s decision to approve permission was ‘unlawful, procedurally unfair, and failed to take into account key factors’. Pictured is a concept for the embassy
‘Instead, our clients say key information was withheld, critical safety issues were left unresolved, and residents were given no meaningful opportunity to understand or challenge what was being decided.
‘We are asking the court to ensure that proper scrutiny takes place before any further steps are taken.’
The association is also being supported in its claim by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
Announcing the approval in January, a statement from Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: ‘All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision.’
A government spokesperson added at the time: ‘National security is our first duty.
‘Intelligence agencies have been involved throughout the process and an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks.’
The Daily Mail understands that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has received the Royal Mint Court Residents Association’s legal challenge.
However a spokesperson said it would be inappropriate for the department to comment further.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that planning documents for the embassy included ‘spy dungeons’ (highlighted in red above) – two suites of basement rooms and a tunnel, with their purpose redacted for security reasons
China’s President Xi at the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in January
Permission to develop a Chinese super-embassy near the Tower of London was green-lit by Reed on January 20 after a public inquiry into the proposals was held in February last year.
At the beginning of last month residents of Royal Mint Court set out the grounds for their request in a pre-application letter to the British government’s legal department.
When the Chinese government bought 5.4 acres of the site in 2018, the purchase included the freehold to around 100 flats across four residential blocks.
These buildings lie outside the proposed perimeter for the embassy but residents fear they could be evicted and their flats bulldozed to make space for a security wall.
They are also concerned about becoming targets for surveillance from the diplomatic complex, which would be China’s biggest in Europe.
Its first application was rejected by Tower Hamlets Council but it resubmitted its plan in July 2024, just weeks after Labour won the election, and soon afterwards president Xi raised the matter in a phone call with Sir Keir.
Just months later, Sir Keir told the president his new government would make the final decision after taking control of the planning process.
The Housing Secretary then approved China’s proposal in January.
