By Dave Lake, MTVHA Resident and Chair of Royal Mint Court Residents Association
My residents’ association needs to raise £30,000 to have a fighting chance of success at a public inquiry into the relocation of the Chinese Embassy to our estate.
We are fighting to prevent the Chinese government’s plans for a super-embassy next to our small residential estate near the Tower of London. If it goes ahead, it will be the biggest embassy in Europe. We are residents of MTVH housing association and it will devastate our small, friendly neighbourhood and community.
Residents of Royal Mint Court
So far we have been successful in defeating the plans. Planning permission has twice been rejected by Tower Hamlets Council on security grounds. But central government has taken control of the decision, and it sits with Angela Raynor, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. As we all know, this government is unpredictable.
When Tower Hamlets council was in charge, we were able to make our representations and there were no barristers involved for either side. But the Chinese government is getting top lawyers and barristers to put their arguments to Rayner and we fear that our voices – and interests – will be screened out.
Dave Lake, MTVHA Resident and Chair of Royal Mint Court Residents Association
As we are only a small estate with limited funds, we are appealing to the public for donations to pay for legal representation so that we stand a chance of winning again. Please help if you can. Donate online here. Any amount small or large is very much appreciated.
23 December 2024