Overview

• The housing department moved the deadline from 9 September to 21 October to review explanations for blacked‑out areas in the application.
• DP9, representing Beijing, said full internal layouts are neither necessary nor appropriate and that unredacted drawings identify the main uses.
• The Chinese embassy expressed serious concern, urged approval without delay, and dismissed claims of secret facilities as slander.
• Opponents, including local residents and UK and US politicians, warn the large Royal Mint Court complex near key financial and data sites could enable spying.
• Officials reported an in‑principle agreement to protect public access to 14th‑century abbey ruins on the site, with finer details still to be confirmed.