It seems increasingly likely that a massive Chinese embassy will be built next to the Tower.
It's been on the cards for the best part of a decade, but recent events have brought the prospect of a huge Chinese embassy a bit closer.
If built, this would be the largest embassy anywhere in Europe at 5.5 acres. It would lie in a most prestigious location, right next to the World Heritage Site of the Tower of London. Needless to say, it's proving controversial. Here's an impartial lowdown.
Where exactly is this?
The site in question is the Royal Mint Court, which occupies a chunky site north-east of the Tower of London. It really is massive — perhaps half the size of the Tower's footprint.
The site is largely sealed off behind sturdy walls, and has been for many years, which is perhaps why it's not very well known for such a prominent location.
So was this once the actual Royal Mint?
Yes, absolutely. The Royal Mint, which physically makes all the coins and notes that used to be in your pocket, was originally housed inside the Tower of London. From 1809, it moved across the road to the purpose-built Royal Mint Court — a grand neo-classical affair, partly designed by British Museum architect Robert Smirke.
The building continued to serve as the Mint for over a century and a half, until finally moving to Llantrisant in Wales between 1967 and 1975 (though the Mint retained an office here until 2000). It's since been a mixed-use site for offices and residential use. It's enjoyed a complex history of ownership and sale, with allegations of fraud and dodgy dealings predating the Chinese acquisition.
Why do the Chinese want to build an embassy here?
The current Chinese Embassy has stood on Portland Place since 1877. Actually, that's not quite true. The imposing building we see today is a 1980s pastiche, after the original Georgian property was demolished and "sympathetically" rebuilt on a larger scale. Since the 1980s, China's economy and political clout has grown to superpower status, and the old embassy is no longer suitable for their needs.
In May 2018, the People's Republic of China purchased the freehold to Royal Mint Court for £255 million, with the intention of turning it into a new embassy. They worked with David Chipperfield architects to draw up plans, which were presented to Tower Hamlets council in 2020.
That was years ago. How come the site is still untouched?
The plans proved controversial, to say the least. China's stance on human rights, particularly its persecution of Uyghurs, is well known and much condemned. Any major deal or development involving the Chinese is likely to attract protest. A massive new embassy in such a prime site does not sit comfortably with many people.
The plans were also criticised locally. The Royal Mint Court site includes 100 leasehold homes, built for key-workers when the Crown still owned the land. The freehold is now with China. Local residents — who were not consulted on the change of ownership — are deeply concerned. They fear their lives and liberties may be compromised by the protests, demonstrations and security threats that the adjacent embassy might bring. "Human shields" was one phrase used by a local campaign.
The Metropolitan Police also raised objections that the site was bounded by major roads, meaning that any protest could be unsafe, or lead to the closure of these roads.
Against this background, the plans were unanimously rejected by Tower Hamlets council in 2022. A revised plan was resubmitted two years later, only to be rejected again in December 2024. But the project is far from dead thanks to higher level intervention (see below).
What would this embassy look like?
The most imposing blocks on the site would remain in their current form. The Smirke centrepieces are Grade II*-listed and can't be significantly altered. However, the scheme would radically rework the wider site and buildings, including provision for 225 residencies for embassy staff.
Unusually for a diplomatic location, the scheme will also create a 'public' square and cultural centre. This would include access to the remains of a Cistercian abbey, which had previously been difficult to visit.
Will it go ahead?
The decision about whether to build the new embassy goes way beyond the basic "is it the right thing to do?" arguments. High politics is at play here. Britain is seeking to rebuild its own embassy in Beijing, and who knows what other diplomatic balancing acts are intruding upon the decision?
Certainly, the government seem to be in favour of proceeding. Both David Lammy and Yvette Cooper (Foreign and Home Secretaries repectively) have publicly supported construction. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has "called in" the project. She has the power to over-rule Tower Hamlets council if she believes the project should go ahead.
During a recent pubic enquiry, it was revealed that the Metropolitan Police have now withdrawn their objections. Even Tower Hamlets has admitted it is "no longer in position to present evidence" against the scheme. It feels like all the cards are falling into place (or being covertly shuffled?) to allow the embassy to move forward.
One lingering, and surprising, bone of contention concerns the medieval abbey remains. In a reversal of expectations, the Chinese want to allow full access, while the British Government think this is a bad idea. The given reasons are interesting. Embassy lands have what's known as diplomatic inviolability; nobody can enter the grounds without permission. This includes emergency services. Were there to be an illness or injury at the cultural centre, the emergency response might be slowed down.
Others have pointed to potential security risks. Important data cables between the City, Canary Wharf and Government departments apparently pass below the site. "I believe China wants [its embassy] there so they can get access to that," reckoned former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith in a recent Times Radio interview.
Angela Rayner has many competing interests to weigh up, doubtless including factors the public are not aware of. We will watch this one with interest.
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