UK court allows plans for Chinese 'super' embassy to advance

A court dismissed a legal challenge against Beijing's new embassy in London, which could become the largest in the UK. The case, brought by a neighborhood association, argued the embassy poses a security threat.

Local residents said the decision ‘doesn’t change the fact that a fortress doesn’t belong in our community’.

Local residents said the decision ‘doesn’t change the fact that a fortress doesn’t belong in our community’.

Once built on the site of the Royal Mint near the Tower of London, the five-acre embassy will be the largest diplomatic mission in London - but concerns have been raised over national security.

The Royal Mint Court residents’ association had challenged the decision to grant planning permission Construction of a new Chinese super embassy in London can go ahead after the high court dismissed a challenge to the government’s decision to grant planning permission. The Royal Mint Court residents’ association (RMCRA

Brooke Davies | Senior News reporter Published July 31, 2026 12:15pm Updated July 31, 2026 12:23pm An aerial picture taken with a drone shows the location proposed for the new Chinese embassy at Old Royal Mint Court (Picture: EPA) The building of a Chinese ‘super embassy’ in London can still go ahead after residents ba

The government has given the green light to the site on the old Royal Mint, near the Tower of London.

Construction of Chinese super embassy in London to go ahead | ITV News  ITVX

The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association (RMCRA) launched legal action