A FORMER Belfast bed and breakfast is set to become the location for the Polish consulate in Northern Ireland.
Back in January it was confirmed that a full diplomatic consulate for the country would open in the city later in the year and the site of the Cordia Lodge on the Malone Road has emerged as the likely site.
A planning application for 67 Malone Road was received by officials from Belfast hospitality and property development company Andras House Ltd on Thursday, April 27 proposing a change of use from guest house to consulate building.
The proposal states: '3 No. single storey rear extension and single storey side extension. Front access ramp and car parking reconfiguration with erection of security fence. Associated works including landscaping improvement.'
If the application is successful Poland will be the first European country to have a full diplomatic presence in Northern Ireland.
Poland would also become only the third country in the world with a consulate in the north after the United States and China.
Consular services at present for the more than 30,000 Polish nationals living in the north are provided by monthly consular visits to Belfast, while the Honorary Northern Ireland Consul for the Republic of Poland is retired Newry businessman Jerome Mullen.
It is understood that there are still matters to be agreed between the Polish government and the property owner, but that the Malone Road site is the likely location for the new consulate.
The applicant and owner of the premises- Belfast hospitality and property development company Andras House Ltd was not available for comment yesterday.
