High Court to hear judicial review challenge over Chinese embassy permission

The claimant’s solicitors are set to advance an argument that planning mitigations relied on by Secretary of State for Local Government, Steve Reed, in approving the application cannot be enforced because the land benefits from diplomatic immunity.

The Chinese Government bought the historic Royal Mint complex opposite the Tower of London in 2018.

Its planning application to build what would be Europe’s largest embassy on the site was refused twice by Tower Hamlets Council before being called in by the Secretary of State for Local Government in 2024.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) then approved the planning application in January this year.

The Royal Mint Court Residents Association (RMCRA) have raised more than £210,000 in crowdfunding to pursue the challenge, which argues the planning process behind the decision was "flawed".

Following a case management hearing on 30 March, a High Court judge has now has ordered a rolled-up hearing for the claim in July.

There will also be a separate permission hearing on two of the grounds on 20 April, according to Leigh Day Solicitors, which is acting for the claimants.

Leigh Day solicitor Ricardo Gama said the residents are "looking forward to being able to put their argument before the judge that it was unlawful for the Secretary of State, Steve Reed, to grant permission for a new Chinese Embassy".

He added: "They will argue that none of the extensive mitigation measures which were needed to make the development acceptable in planning terms from Mr Reed’s perspective can be enforced, because the land is diplomatic land and benefits from corresponding diplomatic immunity."

The RMCRA represents 100 leaseholders who live in apartments along Royal Mint Street, which neighbours the proposed embassy site.

The freehold for the apartments has been under the ownership of the Chinese Government since 2018, stoking fears among residents that they will be evicted once the planning application is approved.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that, as the decision is subject to legal action, it would not be appropriate to comment.

Adam Carey