The force had previously raised concerns about containing potential protests which could spill into the busy roads around the site and nearby Tower of London.
But the Met has now changed its position after Chancellor Rachel Reeves returned from a visit to Beijing and Sir Keir Starmer admitted to asking ministers to call in the scheme following a call with President Xi.
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The dramatic reversal has forced Tower Hamlets council to withdraw its objections to the plans for the site near the Tower of London, potentially clearing the way for the embassy’s approval.
600,000 sq ft Chinese embassy complex will involve repurposing existing grade II-listed buildings at the site
A joint letter from Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to the chief planning inspector two weeks ago reveals the U-turn.
It states: “The Metropolitan Police had previously raised concerns regarding the ability of the site to accommodate protests.
“We have since been informed that, following the Tower Hamlets Strategic Planning Committee on 9th December 2024, further technical detail was provided regarding the ability of the surrounding pavements and spaces to accommodate protests.
“Whilst there remain differences of opinion on where protesters would most likely congregate, on balance, the Metropolitan Police’s public order experts are content that there is sufficient space for future protests without significantly impacting the adjacent road network. The Metropolitan Police have therefore withdrawn their objection to the application.”
The planning inspector will hold a short inquiry next month ahead of passing her recommendation to Homes and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner for a final decision on whether to give Government consent.
China submitted a second application just after the Labour Government came to power following an earlier rejection by London’s Tower Hamlets back in December 2022.
The latest revised plan introduces some small-scale adjustments to the height of new buildings in the 600,000 sq ft embassy complex.
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 centre.
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
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
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