David Chipperfield Architects' model of the former Royal Mint Source:&nbsp David Chipperfield ArchitectsChina is blocking Eric Parry Architects proposals for a new British ambassadors residence in Beijing in response to delays to Chinas own London embassy plans, designed by David Chipperfield Architects The UK wants to demolish the existing British embassy and ambassadors residence in China's capital, with Eric Parry designing the new ambassadors home.But, according to a report in The Guardian, Chinese officials have resisted the UKs requests to rebuild its embassy complex for at least a year. The AJ understands that plans for the site were first submitted to authorities two years ago.It is understood a tweaked planning application was submitted in July by the British embassy for city centre site in the Chinese capital.Although Eric Parry's name is attached to the ambassadors residence, it is unknown which architect is working on the new embassy building itself.AdvertisementChina has expressed frustration at the years-long planning saga surrounding David Chipperfield Architects plans to overhaul the former Royal Mint in east London into a new Chinese embassy complex.A Chinese embassy spokesperson told the AJ last year that it had urged the UK government to fulfil its relevant international obligations over the stalled project.And in August this year, the embassy released a statement saying: Both China and the UK have the need to build a new embassy in each others capital, and the two sides should provide facilitation to each other.Last month housing and communities secretary Angela Rayner called in Chipperfields resubmitted scheme.Tower Hamlets councillors refused the scheme in December 2022 with China not appealing the decision.However in July this year, shortly after the UK general election, it resubmitted an almost identical scheme for the plot.AdvertisementCiting a British source close to the former Royal Mint proposals, The Guardian said China see[s] it as a reciprocal-type thing where both people want changes, but our system doesnt really work quite as centrally as theirs does.It quoted a Conservative Party source adding: Until that one gets moving, the British embassy in Beijing wont move [and] the grounds for turning it down were pretty spurious It came about more because they were so angry that [planning permission for the Chinese embassy in London] was just turned down without any support.Eric Parry Architects won an international competition in 2020 to deliver the UK ambassadors residence as part of a wider overhaul of the 1959 embassy, located within the Chinese capitals diplomatic district.The London and Singapore-based practice won a competition run by the RIBA and the Foreign Office, beating a shortlist that included Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Carmody Groarke, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and The Manser Practice.In August, the Foreign Office put out a tender for a 100 million job to demolish and deliver the new embassy. As AJ sister title Construction News reported in August, the Foreign Office expects to publish a contract notice next March and to award the contract in December.The same tender document said: Planning permission has been submitted in Beijing seeking the approval of the proposed design. The works are split across two adjacent sites in Beijing which currently provide both embassy office space and [ambassadors] residence.'A government spokesperson told the AJ: Applications for a new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets have been called in for Ministers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to decide. A final decision will be made in due course.The China UK embassy was approached for comment. Eric Parry Architects declined to comment. Source:David Chipperfield ArchitectsDavid Chipperfield Architects' model of the former Royal Mint2024-11-08Gino Spocchiacomment and share