China resubmits big embassy plan for old Royal Mint site

Aaron Morby 5 months ago
Share

China has launched a second attempt to gain planning for a super-sized embassy on the site of the Royal Mint in London.

Planned entrance to the Royal Mint Court will remain largely unchanged
Planned entrance to the Royal Mint Court will remain largely unchanged

The latest revised plan introduces some small-scale adjustments to the height of new buildings in the 600,000 sq ft embassy complex, which would be located to the north of St Katharine Docks, near the Tower of London.

The latest planning documents submitted to Tower Hamlets Borough Council said the council’s decision to reject the proposals in December 2022 on security grounds and the impact on residents was “without merit” and had “no basis in planning policy”.

The vast project designed by David Chipperfield Architects includes not only a big embassy building but also 225 residences in a long seven storey building and a cultural exchange center.

It involves refurbishing the listed Johnson Smirke and overhauling the existing Seaman’s Registry. The rest of the size will require large-scale demolition of two buildings to make way for new residences.

Among the client profession team contractor BCEGI UK is advising on construction management.

Client team


bassy

Existing Dexter and Murray Houses steel frames will be retained to create new long Embassy House residential building clad in precast concrete

Project Manager: Arcadis
Cost Consultant Turner and Townsend
Structure, Civils: Arup
Building Services: Cundall
Facade Engineering: Thornton Tomasetti
Construction managment plan: BCEGI UK

The planning application will initially be handled by Tower Hamlets council, with the national government getting involved if the proposal is rejected again and China appeals.

Latest news

Morgan Sindall contracts league champion for second year

Kier ranks second in closely contested race between majors
4 hours ago

New Year layoffs as Scottish modular house builder collapses

East Ayrshire Connect Modular falls into administration
4 hours ago

Thames Water bidders day for £2.2bn reservoir scheme

Tenders to be invited in October for new Abingdon reservoir in Oxfordshire
4 hours ago

Buckingham Plant Hire quits heavy kit market

Firm to sell fleet and focus on lighter, sustainable plant
22 hours ago

Clients ‘ignoring building safety’ reforms

Clients still subjecting contractors to aggressive and sub-economic pricing
3 hours ago

Castleforge plans expansion after £100m data centre deal

Investor moves into booming data centre market
3 hours ago

Construction output growth drops to six-month low

Subcontractor rates rise at fastest rate for 18 months
1 day ago

Suir Engineering swoops for Scottish M&E contractor

Irish M&E firm launches UK expansion with Taylor & Fraser acquisition
1 day ago

Aggregates supply firm files administration notice

Ashville Aggregates and Concrete operates across London and South East
1 day ago

Plans in for 44-storey Manchester resi tower

Developer Glenbrook to appoint contractor this year
2 days ago

Briggs & Forrester names new engineering services MD

Will Newman replaces Ian Lawrence who steps down after eight years
1 day ago

Morgan Sindall bags Salford Uni acoustics building

Planning submitted for Acoustics Building at Crescent Innovation area
1 day ago

Lambeth to release six sites for £250m homes plan

Call for development partner to deliver 450 mixed tenure homes
1 day ago

Adrian Speller joins brother as joint MD of Midlands builder

Speller Metcalfe boosts senior leadership team
2 days ago

Winner unveiled for £2.9bn aqueduct revamp

Construction costs for Haweswater Aqueduct rise to £2.9bn from £1.75bn
5 days ago

Fortem and Equans face fight for £3bn housing upkeep deal

Birmingham City Council aims to sign new 10-year deals for four regions
2 days ago

Lendlease strikes deal to sell UK construction arm for £35m

US private equity firm Atlas to finalise purchase deal by summer
6 days ago

Hercules to offload suction excavator arm

Fleet of 30 trucks generates around £5m revenue a year
2 days ago

Tarmac trials new technique to cut concrete road noise

Quieter trips for drivers and longer-lasting roads
2 days ago

HS2 set for “fundamental reset” to lower construction costs

New chief executive promises action after latest project update
1 week ago

Solar panel installer fined £120,000 after roof fall

Court hears how employee broke his leg in fall
6 days ago

Network Rail chief Andrew Haines knighted

Thin pickings for construction in this year's New Year Honours
1 week ago

Staff stunned as engineering consultancy Clarkebond closes

Firm was only bought three months ago by rival Independent Design House Group
2 weeks ago

Vistry issues third profit warning in three months

Profit expected to fall £50m below forecast due to delayed completions
2 weeks ago

Miller Homes buys St Modwen Homes for £215m

Scottish house builder snaps up £368m turnover rival
3 weeks ago

Keltbray fine increased to £18m after failed bid rigging appeal

Contractor loses penalty discount for settling with competition authorities
3 weeks ago

Luxury house builder goes under with 70 job losses

Octagon Developments in administration after 40 years in business
3 weeks ago

Top Ten best read stories of 2024

The biggest headlines of an eventful year. Have a good one and here's to a successful 2025
3 weeks ago

BAM Nuttall fined £800,000 after concrete skip tragedy

Young labourer killed by falling bale arm
3 weeks ago

Keltbray infrastructure business reveals new name

AUREOS means "new dawn" after private equity acquisition
3 weeks ago

Contractor services