THE British foreign secretary has been urged to intervene in an escalation of the row over Belfast's Chinese Consulate building a wall without planning permission.
SDLP MP Claire Hanna, assembly member Matthew O'Toole and councillor Gary McKeown have sent a letter to Dominic Raab to raise the dispute.
The consulate has continued its construction of a boundary wall at the Malone Road site despite a stop notice being served last Friday by council officials.
Police were called yesterday morning as residents expressed their fury over the ongoing building works.
For weeks residents have complained about the consulate erecting an "eyesore" metal boundary fence while constructing a more permanent wall.
But planners fear taking enforcement action will be rendered "pointless" by the consulate claiming diplomatic immunity.
A joint letter was sent yesterday to Mr Raab from Ms Hanna's South Belfast constituency office on behalf of the MP, Mr O'Toole and Mr McKeown.
Requesting his intervention, they refer to the foreign secretary's legal powers on permitting premises to be used for consular purposes.
"We request that you take steps under this legislation to help ensure that the planning laws and enforcement notices issued by Belfast City Council are given effect in practice, as we have concern that otherwise diplomatic immunity may be claimed, completely undermining both the letter and the spirit if the legislation, meaning this work may continue without permission in what is a conservation area," the letter states.
"While the consulate was a welcome addition to south Belfast, and indeed Northern Ireland, there is very real concern that an important part of our built heritage is being altered without the consent of either the authorities, or indeed the local community."
A listed building enforcement notice and tree preservation order were also issued by the council last week.
Martin McBurney, who lives beside the consulate, said residents called police yesterday morning after they saw workers arrive with cement.
He hit out at delays in the council taking action, adding: "The bottom line is people have been patient.
"People have been very neighbourly and tried to resolve this amicably, but no matter what you do the council aren't doing anything and the consulate will do nothing."
Police said they received a report of a protest outside the consulate "in relation to an ongoing civil dispute".
"Officers attended and spoke with the parties concerned, however no police action was required," a spokesman said.
SDLP councillor Gary McKeown said: "People are looking on in disbelief and frustration as work continues at the consulate, despite the enforcement notices.
"This flies on the face of planning regulations and leaves a bad taste when they should be trying to be good neighbours.
"The UK government needs to intervene to give effect to the council's wishes."
The consulate is based at MacNeice House, a listed building which dates from 1889.
The area is a planning conservation zone in which development must meet stricter rules to be in-keeping with its existing architectural character.
The consulate has previously defended the works, saying it hopes to build a wall that both meets its security needs and respects the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.
