Overview
- Housing Secretary Steve Reed granted planning permission and listed building consent, concluding a quasi-judicial process following a 2025 public inquiry.
- The 20,000–22,000 square meter complex would be China’s largest mission in Europe and would consolidate seven existing London diplomatic sites into one.
- Unredacted plans reported last week described 208 basement rooms and a chamber near fiber‑optic routes, intensifying security concerns that officials say are mitigated.
- Local residents and campaign groups are preparing a judicial review to challenge the decision, with fundraising already underway.
- The approval removes a diplomatic obstacle and is widely viewed as paving the way for Keir Starmer’s expected visit to China and for progress on the UK’s embassy plans in Beijing.