Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 (named day). It was answered by Catherine West (Labour) on Thursday, 23 January 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason his Department notified the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about the resubmission of the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets; and whether that notification included material planning grounds for requesting that the Secretary of State exercise powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to determine the planning application.

Answer: In the anticipation of press interest in the application, FCDO officials notified colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) of the resubmission of the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets. This notification did not express any views on the exercise of the powers that the Secretary of State, MHCLG, has under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to call in and determine the planning application. The decision to call in the planning application was a decision of the Deputy Prime Minister in her capacity as Secretary of State, MHCLG, and was made in line with current policy on call-in.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 24422
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Planning permission Tower Hamlets Chinese Embassy
Legislation: Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk