London, September 10 (HS) : A leading planning lawyer has warned that granting permission for China’s proposed new “mega embassy” at Royal Mint Court in central London would be unlawful, intensifying the political and legal row over the controversial project.

Lord Banner KC, one of Britain’s top planning barristers, issued a legal opinion submitted to the government this week, arguing that planning approval cannot lawfully be given on the basis of the embassy’s redacted plans. He stressed that the omission of details concerning internal layouts raised serious issues related to fire safety, structural integrity, and security.

The £750m embassy project, intended to replace China’s long-standing site in London’s West End, would be the largest of its kind in Europe. But opposition has mounted as residents of Royal Mint Court, now under Chinese ownership, fear eviction, while campaigners warn the site could become a hub for surveillance and intimidation of dissidents.

One point of deep contention is China’s decision to keep certain room functions undisclosed. Banner argued that these redactions could carry significant planning implications, particularly given that Beijing would enjoy full diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention. “In law, the PRC’s assurances are meaningless,” he wrote, noting that British authorities would have no power to enforce planning conditions once the site was designated Chinese diplomatic territory.

Security concerns have also been raised over Beijing’s plan to leave part of the compound open to the public for visitors to a heritage centre. Both the Foreign Office and the Home Office have warned this arrangement poses national security and public order risks, as UK police or emergency services would not lawfully be able to enter the area without Chinese consent.

Former housing secretary Angela Rayner had previously stepped in to “call in” the planning application, but with her departure, her successor Steve Reed now faces the final decision, expected by October 21. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it would not comment further while the process remained under consideration.

The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association hailed Banner’s opinion, declaring the scheme indefensible in law. “The UK government should now put an end to the planning application once and for all, or face a humiliating judicial review,” it said.

Meanwhile, Conservative MPs and security experts have warned that a Chinese embassy so close to the City of London could potentially pose cyber and espionage risks, particularly from access to sensitive fibre optic data cables.

China’s Embassy in London has defended the project, insisting the new site would “help us better perform our responsibilities” and deepen mutual understanding between the UK and China.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar