Row erupts over China’s planned 'super-embassy' in the shadow of the Tower of London

A row has erupted over China’s proposal to build the biggest foreign embassy in Britain on a site close to the Tower of London.

Councillors are expected to approve plans to transform the historic Royal Mint Court in Whitechapel.

But Communities Secretary Michael Gove is coming under pressure to overturn the planning permission.

The embassy site includes the former mint where British coins were produced from 1810 until the 1970s, a Black Death ‘plague pit’ and the foundations of a Cistercian abbey.

The proposed redevelopment comes amid growing concern at the activities of Chinese security agents and diplomats based in the UK.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak told the Lord Mayor of London’s banquet on Monday the ‘golden era’ of relations between the UK and China was over.

Aerial photograph of the site looking east Credit: Tower Hamlets Council/Google

Residents groups have submitted a list of objections to the proposal, including:

  • Inappropriate location for any embassy

  • Premises would be turned into a fortress and would be a terrorist target.

  • Huge impact of protests on the surrounding area.

Councillors on Tower Hamlets’ Strategic Development Committee will vote on the plans on Thursday.

Conservative Councillor Peter Golds, who will oppose the proposal, told ITV News: "I think it's an appalling decision. Most modern embassies built way out of the centre of towns so they can be properly secured as we saw with the American Embassy in Nine Elms.

"This is a site that personifies our country. I'm looking at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge approach. Any number of tourists come here day in and day out to see Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

"What we as a country shouldn't want people to see is a historic building with demonstators standing outside flying a red flag!

Can you imagine the French putting an embassy next to the Arc de Triomphe - of course you can't!"

Planning documents published online describe the development as ‘well designed’.

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: "The planning and listed building consent applications are for the redevelopment of the Royal Mint Court complex to provide a new home for the Chinese Embassy.

"The applications will be considered by the Council’s Strategic Development Committee on Thursday.

"The proposals are generally in accordance with the policies in the development plan and on this basis officers have recommended that planning permission and listed building consent are granted, subject to conditions and planning obligations."

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