A HOTEL is set to become the largest in East Lothian after plans for more bedrooms there were approved, bringing the number above 100.

Permission has been given to increase the number of rooms at the Premier Inn between Whitecraig and Musselburgh.

Currently, the hotel has 82 bedrooms and neighbours a 200-cover Brewers Fayre restaurant, with both owned by Whitbread PLC.

East Lothian Council’s planning department approved the latest application for an extension and noted that there was currently space for 99 cars at the premises.

The planning officer’s report reads: “[A supporting statement] states that the proposals involve a net 19-bedroom extension to the existing hotel, resulting in a total of 101 bedrooms, with 91 car parking spaces post-development.

“It states that a breakfast room would be provided to cater for guests' morning meals; however, this would not generate any external trade.”

READ MORE: Premier Inn reveal plans for extension to hotel near Whitecraig

The developers claimed that the extra rooms would “deliver a public benefit in the form of a positive economic impact” as well as improving the hotel’s offer.

However, planning officials also received a letter highlighting concerns about the extension to the hotel.

Issues included the impact that the new rooms would have on the drainage network.

It was claimed that there had been pipe blockages since 2006/07, when guest rooms were added to the Premier Inn.

The objection noted: “The proposed additional 19 toilets/showers will have a severely greater impact on the drainage system which is already unable to cope.

“The sinks in the house of a neighbouring property already take longer to drain and raw sewage emits from the access chambers and flood the paths and garden areas of that neighbouring residential property.”

The planning officer noted that any issues relating to drainage would be assessed by the local authority’s building standards department as and when a building warrant was submitted.

Throughout the UK, Premier Inn has more than 800 hotels.

Currently, Marine North Berwick is the largest hotel in the county with 83 bedrooms.