News
May 2025
Royal Mint site: Chinese Embassy archaeology
Part of a wall and a doorway in the ruins of St Mary Graces Abbey, in the present basement at the Mint
The proposed Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint, East Smithfield
The Chinese government proposes to relocate its embassy in the buildings of the Royal Mint, currently empty, north-east of the Tower of London. The design of the new complex, which includes several Listed Buildings and structures, is by architect David Chipperfield. A first proposal was refused planning permission by the local authority, Tower Hamlets, in 2022. Chipperfield has now submitted a second application which is exactly the same as the first. This has been called in by the Secretary of State Angela Rayner. There will now be a Public Enquiry about the project in 2025.
CoLAT has concerns about the future display and public access in the present basement of fragments of walls from St Mary Graces Abbey, extensively found on the site during excavations of the 1980s. Here is a note describing the site and the setting of the fragments:
| Title | File Type | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Embassy note by CoLAT 0 |
481 KB | |
| 0 |
Welcome to the CoLAT website
The City of London Archaeological Trust (CoLAT) is a charity whose purpose is to support and initiate archaeological work in the City of London and its environs.
The Trust supports all kinds of archaeological work and the exhibition of archaeological sites. We prefer to concentrate on education and research, especially publication, within or in addition to existing research frameworks; but assistance with survey and excavation projects may be requested.
Many of the projects supported by CoLAT are large multi-stage research and publication projects which require additional funding for completion. We welcome donations from individuals and organisations who want to contribute to the archaeological and historical study of London.
**NEW: two items concerning our support for public discussion and appreciation of London archaeology. First, our News page now highlights what we think of several major redevelopments in the City, and how they are dealing with the rich archaeology and built heritage on their sites. Second, we are hosting a page about the activities of the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society. Click the LAMAS link at the top or in the footer at the bottom of this page to find it. This page holds the letters sent by LAMAS to local planning authorities about developments, and the letters sent by CoLAT to the Corporation of London about specific developments in the City.
