Residents of the Royal Mint Court housing complex in London have formally launched legal proceedings against the UK government’s approval of China’s plans to build Europe’s largest embassy. The lawsuit is an application for judicial review of Local Government Minister Steve Reed’s decision of January 20, 2026.
The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association, representing approximately 200 residents in 100 apartments, raised the required £145,000 through crowdfunding and hired a leading planning lawyer, Lord Charles Banner KC. In February 2026, the association submitted a pre-claim letter outlining five main grounds for overturning the government’s decision.
Key complaints from residents:
Predetermined approval: the government allegedly signaled to China in advance that the project would be approved, even before all formal procedures and independent assessments were completed.
Insufficient attention to national security, privacy, and the safety of residents themselves.
Violation of the principles of lawful and impartial decision-making.
There’s a risk of forced eviction for residents, as China has owned the Royal Mint Court building since 2018 and may consider its proximity to the embassy a security threat.
Potential privacy concerns arise due to extensive CCTV and balconies overlooking residential windows.
Residents emphasize that they live literally “wall to wall” with the future complex, which will cover approximately 20,000 square meters and is located near the Tower of London and the financial city. They fear spying, protests at the embassy, interception of financial data cables, and pressure on Chinese dissidents living nearby.
The Starmer government approved the project despite repeated refusals from Tower Hamlets Council, warnings from the security services, protests from the opposition, some Labour members, and even comments from the United States. Minister Steve Reed stated that all security risks had been considered and could be mitigated.
As of March 2026, the case is pending in the High Court.
China insists that the embassy will be used exclusively for diplomatic purposes and is fully compliant with British law and the Vienna Convention.
The dispute over the “mega-embassy” remains one of the most contentious issues in British-Chinese relations, combining local interests, national security issues and geopolitics.