A BOOMING Borders hotel can now meet ever-growing demand after winning approval to increase the number of its bedrooms.

The Black Bull Hotel in Lauder’s Market Place submitted an application to Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to form three additional bedrooms through the conversion of a storage building at the rear of the property.

Now approval has been granted for the hotel, restaurant, café and bar – a former 18th century coaching inn – to meet its burgeoning potential.

A report approving the application, from SBC lead planning officer Julie Hayward, says: “The site is within the centre of Lauder where there is a range of commercial uses, including the hotel, and residential properties.

“The proposed conversion of the building to provide additional bedrooms for the hotel would be in keeping with this part of Lauder.

“It is considered that the proposed alterations are acceptable and the proposal would not harm the character of the main Listed Building.

“The outbuilding is situated to the rear of the hotel and visible from Castle Wynd when passing the entrance to the car park. The proposal would not harm the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.”

A report submitted with the application says: “The hotel is a thriving and successful business that is attracting large numbers of residents resulting in many nights where the existing rooms are oversubscribed.

“This, plus a change in staffing arrangements, has produced a change in priorities for the business resulting in a wish to provide additional hotel bedrooms to serve customer demand.

“The new applications for planning permission, listed building consent and conservation area consent will deliver three new hotel bedrooms with the remainder of the building remaining as hotel storage, part of which will contain an area for storing refuse and recycling containers.”