Lord had no permit for extension

Lord Rana's planning application was recommended for refusal

One of NI's most successful developers could find himself in breach of planning rules over an extension to his south Belfast mansion.

Lord Diljit Rana is seeking retrospective planning permission for the extension and other alterations.

However, the Planning Service have recommended that the application be refused because of its negative impact on the setting of a conservation area.

The matter is due to be discussed by Belfast City Council later this week.

A statement from the Planning Service said they recommended that the council's town planning committee (TPC) refuse the application when they meet this Thursday.

"If TPC agree with our recommendation a refusal notice will issue which the applicant has a right to appeal.

"The applicant has six months from the date of the refusal notice within which to lodge an appeal.

"If the Planning Appeals Commission agree with Planning Service's recommendation, the matter would then be referred to the division's enforcement section."

Later on Tuesday, a spokesperson from the Planning Service said that it had been advised that amended plans will be submitted.

"If received before the Town Planning Committee meeting on 19 November the amended planning application will be considered and the opinion to refuse will be withdrawn from the council schedule for this meeting."

When contacted by the BBC, a spokesman for Lord Rana said he was unavailable for comment because he was out of the country on business.

Earlier this month, Lord Rana's Andras House group opened two new Ibis chain hotels in Belfast city centre.

Andras House also runs Belfast's Ramada Hotel, Days Hotel and Express by Holiday Inn.

Lord Rana formed the company in 1981 and it is now the biggest hotel group in Belfast, employing more than 300 people in the city.

He was made a non-party political member of the House of Lords in 2004.