State planners have approved plans for an $8 million new office space and apartments on top of a historic building in Fremantle’s west end but several community members wanted the development knocked back due to its excessive height.

Fremantle Society President and former Deputy Mayor of Fremantle John Dowson told Oliver Peterson the City of Fremantle’s acceptance that the plans – put forward by Little Creatures founder Nic Trimboli and developer Adrian Fini – was “absolute nonsense” which set a precedent of sticking “new buildings on top of old buildings” in Fremantle.

“When you go overseas to Dubrovnik or somewhere, you pull your camera out and you love the place because it’s authentic; it’s got integrity,” Mr Dowson said.

“You don’t go there because it’s got new boxes sticking out of the top of all the buildings.”

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