Campaigners have won reprieve after a temporary halt was put on controversial plans to turn the historic Whitechapel bell foundry into a boutique hotel.
A developer's scheme to convert the Grade II-listed foundry, where Big Ben and the Liberty Bell were cast, into a 108-bedroom hotel with a swimming pool and artist spaces was given the green light by Tower Hamlets council.
But the Local Government Secretary of State Robert Jenrick has now issued a holding direction to enable the plans "to be considered further".
It means building work at the foundry, which closed in 2117 after 500 years in Whitechapel, cannot start until the application has been scrutinised by his government department in Whitehall.
He could decide to hold a public inquiry and overrule the council's planning decision.
The American developers, Raycliff, bought the foundry, established in 1570, two years ago.
The former owners, the Hughes family, who ran the business for four generations, gave their blessing to the scheme, while Historic England expressed no opposition.
But protesters accused developers of "cultural vandalism", with many backing a rival proposal by the United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust to maintain the site as a working foundry.
"I hope that the future of Britain's oldest continuous business will now be properly scrutinised, the trust's director Stephen Clarke said.
"There is both the planning application and our proposal to buy the site at its market value and continue to operate a fully working foundry."
The campaign led to a mass protest meeting at the nearby East London Mosque in the summer.
One leading campaigner known as The Gentle Author who runs the Spitalfields Life website said: "We were appalled by the disgraceful decision of the council granting permission for 'change of use' from bell foundry to boutique hotel.
"This destroys any future for the Whitechapel Bell Foundry as a working foundry, reducing centuries of our history to a side-show for tourists in a quirky bell-themed hotel."
Campaigners are calling on the Secretary of State to "call in" the planning application, taking it out of the hands of the town hall and holding a public inquiry.
Architects have argued hand bells bearing the legally protected Whitechapel Bell branding will still be made on the site in a mini foundry near the pit where the Liberty Bell was cast.
The developers say they are "totally focused" on sustaining the heritage and legacy of "this globally significant site".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here