PLANS for a multi-million dollar extension of the Hougoumont Hotel on Bannister Street have failed to win the backing of Fremantle city council.

The council is only an advisory body for this application, with the final decision in the hands of the local development assessments panel.

The owners wanted to add four storeys and a loft to the western side of the boutique West End hotel.

The proposed extension included 48 bedrooms, 34 car bays, a restaurant/kitchen, bar and conference room.

Council officers advised the height of the building failed to comply with the planning scheme for the historic West End. Several councillors expressed concern about the looming facade and lack of setback.

“I do quite like the design and it’s a high quality proposal, but because it’s the West End we have to preserve the intactness of the area and look at the setback issue carefully,” Cr David Hume said.

Hotel architects provided a slideshow of buildings with similar-style facades in the West End, arguing other “confident buildings” with bold frontages were prevalent.

Mayor Brad Pettitt was won over by the multimedia show and agreed the lack of setback enabled a superior design, but he was outvoted. The Hougoumont Hotel is built on the site of the old Fremantle Club.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK