Hotel poised to win approval for four-storey extension plan

A CITY centre hotel has moved closer to getting the go-ahead for refurbishment work to improve its spa and provide extra bedrooms.

Plans drawn up by the Lothian Hotel's owners include a four-storey extension at the back of the building, on Lothian Road, which the owners say would be largely obscured from public view by both the existing hotel and the Standard Life building.

The plans have now been recommended for approval by council officials.

Alan Henderson, the council's head of planning and strategy, said: "The rear of the hotel is currently dominated by plant and services that are visible from public view from the rear entrance to the site.

The extension would allow the hotel to operate 37 additional bedrooms, and there would also be a single-storey spa extension, allowing them to broaden their facilities.

A decision on whether to give the scheme the green light will be taken by the council's planning committee on Wednesday.