Plans for a new hotel in the car park of one of Scotland's most famous pubs have been approved.

Councillors supported the application for the expansion of a 153-year-old family-run pub business without debate.

"The proposals will deliver a sustainable and well-designed scheme that will contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation," planners said.

"The design draws on the character of the surrounding area to create a strong sense of place.

The Herald: How the new hotel might look from the front How the new hotel might look from the front (Image: Canny Man's/Lee Boyd)

"Transport generation and parking proposals are acceptable. Other material considerations support the presumption to grant planning permission."

READ MORE: Hotel plan for famous Scottish pub 

The Herald first revealed the plans for the 14-room "Canny Man’s Hotel" in the Scottish capital last year.

Now the bid has passed a critical hurdle.

The Kerr family, long associated with the Canny Man’s in Morningside, lodged the proposal with City of Edinburgh Council to create a new hotel in the pub’s current car park with architect Lee Boyd.

The hostelry, famed for its eclectic ornaments and described as the world's best pub by celebrity chef Rick Stein, currently has an associated six-room boutique hotel called The Lane.

READ MORE: Pub hotel plan set for approval

It said it moved to build a separate facility to meet growing demand.

It stated: "The Canny Man’s Pub and Lane Hotel are run by the Kerr family that has been associated with the Canny Man’s for over 150 years.

"Whilst the pub is well known, the Lane Hotel is a more recent edition to the business and has survived Covid lockdowns to become a busy and popular destination for visitors to Edinburgh."

It said: "The Lane Hotel cannot cope with the demand for accommodation and therefore the rationale for this project is to increase the number of hotel rooms available for rent on land owned by the family.

"The proposal is to construct a new building to provide an additional 14 rooms."

READ MORE: Owner to sell 'charming' pub and restaurant

It said it was "not considered possible, practical or viable" to extend any of the existing properties.

"The location for a proposed new building is the pub car park that sits between the pub, its beer garden and the Lane Hotel. It is an under-used facility as most of the pub customers avoid travelling to the Canny Man’s by car.

"Similarly, many of the hotel guests who might share the facility, travel to the city without a car. This space is therefore sacrificial in relation to current use and deemed the best location to consider a new building," the application stated.