China’s super embassy plan clears High Court hurdle in UK

The construction of a controversial new Chinese “super embassy” near the Tower of London is expected to go ahead after clearing a legal hurdle in the High Court of England on Friday.

An association of residents living on the China-owned Royal Mint Court site in the UK capital had crowdfunded thousands of pounds to legally challenge the UK government’s decision to grant planning permission for the contentious project.

The Royal Mint Court Residents Association (RMCRA), representing families and businesses in the area, sought a judicial review of the decision of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets earlier this year.

According to court reports, Justice Nathalie Lieven and Lord Justice James Dingemans concluded there was “no doubt” that the government had taken into account that the planning permission was sought by the Chinese government. They ruled that there had been “no unfairness” towards the residents association during the process.

The RMCRA said it will fight on and continue crowdfunding to add to the over 220,000 pounds raised to appeal against this week’s High Court verdict. “The Royal Mint Court Residents Association (RMCRA) has always been prepared to take this all the way to the Supreme Court,” a spokesperson said.