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Allowed10 June 20253353754

Royal Mint Court, London, EC3N 4QN

Planning appeal 3353754 at Royal Mint Court, London, EC3N 4QN (London Borough of Tower Hamlets) was allowed on 10 June 2025 by Inspector Searson C, following an inquiry. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies for 'Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment' in the NPPF (Chapter 16).

Redevelopment of the site to provide an embassy (Sui Generis use class), involving the refurbishment and restoration of the Johnson Smirke Building (Grade II* listed), partial demolition, remodelling and refurbishment of Seaman's Registry (Grade II listed), with alterations to the west elevation of the building, the retention, part demolition, alterations and extensions to Murray House and Dexter House, the erection of a standalone entrance pavilion building, alterations to the existing boundary wall and demolition of substation, associated public realm and landscaping, highway works, car and cycle parking and all ancillary and associated works. [This application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement]

Authority
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Appeal type
other · Called In Planning Application
Procedure
Inquiry
Development
community-institutional · Other Major Developments
Inspector
Searson C
Postcode
EC3N 4QN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies for 'Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment' in the NPPF (Chapter 16)
  • The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with the development plan for the area
  • Any other matters the Inspector considers relevant

What decided it

The collective substantial public benefits to designated heritage assets, brownfield reuse, design quality and sustainability were found to outweigh the identified less than substantial harm to archaeological assets and other minor harms.

The substantial and significant benefits (heritage enhancement, design/character improvements, brownfield reuse, sustainability) outweighed the great weight given to the low level of less than substantial harm to archaeological assets and the moderate weight given to potential disruption from future larger protests, resulting in a favourable balance for the proposal.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
LP Policy D9bLP Policy D9LP Policy D6THLP Policy D.DH8THLP Policy S.DH3THLP Policy D.DH6LP Policy D11THLP policy D.H4LP Policy D12
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 49Paragraph 57Paragraph 58Paragraph 102Paragraph 130Paragraph 135Paragraph 212Paragraph 215
Judgments
R. (on the application of Midcounties Co-operative Limited) v Wyre Forest DC [2009] EWHC 964 (Admin); Somani Hotels Ltd v Epping District Council

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

See how each was applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in London Borough of Tower Hamlets

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

  1. Dismissed29 September 20266010661
    Pavement O/S, 43-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
  2. Dismissed25 June 20266008190
    80 Brick Lane, Tower Hamlets, London, E1 6RL
  3. Dismissed22 June 20266003591
    633 Commercial Road, London, E14 7NT
  4. Dismissed8 May 20263375733
    Sceptre Court, 40 Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DX
  5. Dismissed20 April 20266002725
    5 - 6 Vine Court,, London,, E1 1JH

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.