The UK government has approved plans for China to build a large new embassy complex in the historic centre of London, ending an eight-year planning process marked by political and security concerns.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed granted planning permission on Tuesday for the 20,000-square-metre site, which will become the largest embassy complex in the UK and one of the biggest in any Western capital. However, the decision could still face legal challenges.
Reed said the approval was now final unless overturned by a successful court challenge. A government spokesperson said intelligence agencies had been involved throughout the process and that extensive measures had been developed to manage potential risks. The spokesperson added that China had agreed to consolidate seven existing embassy sites across London into one location, a move the government said would offer clear security advantages.
Security and legal questions
Despite the approval, critics have raised concerns about national security and local opposition. The planning process faced repeated delays due to scrutiny over the site’s size and proximity to sensitive locations. China has previously expressed frustration over the drawn-out decision and raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Keir Starmer early in his term.
Luke de Pulford, head of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, has warned that residents could launch an “embarrassing and potentially catastrophic” legal challenge against the project, keeping uncertainty around the development.
Diplomatic reset under Starmer
Meanwhile, the decision comes as Starmer seeks to reset relations with Beijing. British media reports say he is expected to visit China later this month, although Downing Street has yet to confirm the trip. If it proceeds, it would mark the first visit by a UK prime minister since 2018.
While the embassy approval may improve diplomatic ties, concerns over alleged Chinese espionage in Britain remain a complicating factor. Last month, Starmer said China offered major economic opportunities but also posed real national security threats.
