"It would be a very sad day to see a lovely old cottage with such rich local historical significance be destroyed."
Kelsey Grammer
An actor best known for playing Frasier Crane in hit American comedies Frasier and Cheers has been granted permission to demolish a historic cottage in a Somerset farming community.
Planning
Kelsey Grammer, who played the role of the radio show host and psychiatrist for more than 20 years, was granted permission by North Somerset Council to demolish a 185-year-old cottage in the village of Walton-in-Gordano on March 13.
Mr Grammer, who also voices Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons, has faced stern criticism from residents who said the decision to tear down the cottage, which overlooks farmland and is one of the oldest dwellings in the vicinity, was 'arrogant' and 'disrespectful'.
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Having starred opposite Hollywood royalty including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford, the Frasier star purchased the Somerset property in 2023.
Somerset
North Somerset Council had initially refused Mr Grammer planning permission on August 9, concluding it would 'unacceptably harm' the 'green belt' and harm its historical and local significance.
Walton-in-Gordano Parish Council said it also felt 'compelled' to object to the proposal due to the building's 'historical importance and heritage'.
It has, however, only taken seven months for the council to change its mind.
Heritage
In particular, objections highlighted the 'potential loss of historical significance, lack of demolition justification, negative impact on the rural environment and greenspace, and resistance towards any modern replacement design'.
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Planners have provided Mr Grammer with a deadline of February 12, 2030 to knock down the cottage.
One objector said: "I am concerned to see that the proposal to demolish a character cottage built in the vernacular style, sited prominently on the coast road is being considered.
"The development of any site along this stretch of road will damage the rural nature of this area and contribute to suburban spread. It will set a precedent for further development along this important coastline."
Objections
Another public comment on the planning application added: "It would be a very sad day to see a lovely old cottage with such rich local historical significance be destroyed. The other objections state quite clearly the reasons why demolition should not be entertained.
"If the logic for rejecting the proposed extension was solid, then the planning consent for those new builds that also do not fit in with the existing properties in the area should have been rejected, but they were not.
"This property may be damp, from not being lived in for a couple of years, but that should be easily rectified - all stone cottages are a bit damp anyway - and certainly not cause for destruction.
"I hope the decision makers can make the right decision and not let this cottage be lost, but instead be preserved and kept for future generations."
A further dissident commentator said they objected to the demolition of the cottage because it was over 150-years-old and part of the heritage of the area's rural community.
One comment also raised issue with the historical connection the cottage has to the area.
"Squires Cottage is one of the few habitations that can be seen on the 1840 tithe maps along the coast road from Portishead to Clevedon," the statement said.
"Originally surrounded by the thick heathland of Portishead Down and then farmland, this historic cottage has seen Portishead and the surrounding parishes, as time has progressed and expanding communities have grown.
"The stunning character of this period building should be reason enough for any request to demolish to be discounted.
"If we do not value our architectural heritage such as this, then what stands in the way of unscrupulous developers and apathetic bureaucrats? The cottage should be cherished not swept aside.
"Secondly, the overt and callous submission to demolish, having been refused planning permission to expand, only serves to publicise the arrogant forces at play and their disregard for North Somerset Council decision making.
"I urge the decision makers to take a stand against these behaviours. Set a precedent now and the door is all that easier to open next time."
And finally, one resident said it would be 'inadmissible' for the project to go ahead.
"The possibility of this cottage which is at least 185 years old, being razed to the ground, is not acceptable," they said.
"We would implore the local authority to ensure that this is not allowed to happen.
"A renewed and more moderate set of plans would be the sensible, respectful and appropriate course of action."
Speaking of his affection and future plans for the property, Mr Grammer said: "I love the people in Portishead and I love my time there. It is a good spot.
"We bought a little place we are going to be working on. We will not be taking up residence for a while but we are pretty excited about it. We have a little view of Wales from the channel there."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to take on 'blockers' as the Government reforms planning in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
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