Approving controversial Chinese mega-embassy in London 'unlawful,' ministers told amid espionage fears

"Opponents are ramping up their campaign against Beijing's plan to turn the Royal Mint Court in East Smithfield into the largest embassy of any nation in Europe, covering 20,000 square meters. Officials have also upped the pressure on planners over the complex after several blueprints of the floor-plan were greyed out. Construction of the embassy was initially blocked by Tower Hamlets Borough Council three years ago amid espionage fears from local residents, as well as human rights campaigners and politicians."

"But DP9, the consultancy firm representing the Chinese embassy, declined to explain why it redacted drawings of the building's basement and other rooms. It said the internal functional layout for embassy projects is different from other projects", while also pointing out that "the application for the new United States embassy in Nine Elms did not disclose details of internal layouts"."

"Lord Banner highlighted that sections of the land are listed, adding: "It cannot tenably be said that the detail omitted by the redactions could have no possible planning consequences". He provided examples of what needs to be assessed, including "the potential uses of the redacted rooms, any structural or safety (including but not limited to fire safety) implications of any physical structures"."

Opponents are ramping up their campaign against Beijing's plan to turn the Royal Mint Court in East Smithfield into the largest embassy of any nation in Europe, covering 20,000 square meters. Officials have increased pressure on planners after several floor-plan blueprints were redacted. Construction was initially blocked by Tower Hamlets Council three years ago amid espionage fears voiced by residents, human rights campaigners and politicians. The project is estimated to cost 100 million to construct. DP9, representing the Chinese embassy, declined to explain the redactions, citing internal functional layout differences and a US embassy precedent. Lord Banner demanded unredacted plans to assess planning and safety implications and warned diplomatic immunity could shield activities on the site. Plans include public access to view ruins of a 14th-century abbey.

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