Bosses at a hotel chain have had their plans approved for a huge three-storey extension.

Premier Inn submitted the bid to add 24 rooms to its branch in Cherry Garden Lane, Folkestone in September.

Planning officers at Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) gave the green light to the development this week.

In their report assessing the scheme, the officer said: “The site is well-located adjacent to the highway network, with good access to the town centre along vehicular and pedestrian routes.

“It would be on previously developed land and would support the expansion of an existing business that would support tourism.

“The proposal is modest, and although harm is not fully defined, it is considered likely to be outweighed by the benefits of the proposal when assessed against local plan policies as a whole.

“The nearest residential properties are a significant distance away from the proposed extension and the additional comings and goings are likely not to add a significant additional impact regarding noise and disturbance.

“The proposal is considered sustainable development that complies with development plan policy and is recommended for approval.”

The extension will be built on part of the existing car park, but these spaces will be moved to a different location, allowing the site to continue providing 150 spots.

Once complete, the Premier Inn will provide a total of 151 rooms.

The Cookhouse + Pub restaurant on site called The Brickfield remains open.

The site underwent a major extension in 2019, increasing the number of bedrooms by 46, bringing the overall total to 127 after gaining permission three years earlier.

Owners Whitbread said this £3.5 million investment would enable the site to meet the growing customer demand at the common pitstop for motorists heading to the continent via Eurotunnel or the Port of Dover.

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Plans have also been lodged for the chain’s hotel at Eureka Leisure Park in Ashford.

If the proposals are approved, the site could see an increase of 13 rooms and a new breakfast area - also in a three-storey extension.

It was announced in August that the Beefeater restaurant next to the site, also owned by Whitbread, had gone on the market.

This is part of a plan to move food and drink offerings inside the hotel with the new breakfast bar.

Ashford Borough Council is yet to decide on the application.