Hollywood actor Kelsey Grammer has received approval to demolish a 200-year-old cottage near Bristol, despite significant opposition from local residents.
The 70-year-old Frasier and Cheers star plans to tear down the historic property in Portishead to build a modern home.
Grammer and his Bristol-born British wife Kayte Walsh, 46, purchased the property to be closer to her family.
He had previously sought permission to extend the cottage but was denied due to concerns that the proposed alterations would harm the openness of the surrounding Green Belt.
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The couple’s company, The Fossil UK Trust, submitted the demolition application after their initial plans were rejected.
North Somerset Council recently confirmed that no prior approval was necessary for the razing to proceed, clearing the way for Grammer to demolish the building.
A notice taped to the property states that the site is to be “levelled and cleared”.
The cottage, which overlooks the Bristol Channel, is believed to be at least 185 years old and features traditional elements including quarry tiles, exposed ceiling timbers and stone fireplaces.
According to planning documents, Grammer and his wife plan to replace the cottage with a modern home featuring a games room and gym.
The plans have caused outrage among the local community, with neighbours levelling complaints at the: potential loss of historic value, the absence of justification for the demolition, damage to the area’s rural character, and the loss of green space.
Locals also took to the local council’s website and expressed their fury, The Times reports.
“We do not wish to stand in the way of this wonderful, historic cottage being modernised… However, the possibility of this cottage being razed to the ground, is not acceptable,” one fumed.
Another warned: “The development of any site along this stretch of road will damage the rural nature of this area and contribute to suburban spread.”
“It is one of the few habitations that can be seen on the 1840 tithe maps along the coast road from Portishead to Clevedon. This historic cottage has seen Portishead and the surrounding parishes expand over time. Its stunning character should be reason enough for any request to demolish to be discounted,” argued a third.
A fourth objector described the planned demolition as “a very sad day”, adding: “The other objections state quite clearly the reasons why demolition should not be entertained.”
In a 2023 interview with the BBC, Grammer shared his fondness for the Bristol location, saying: “I love the people in Portishead and I love my time there. It’s a good spot.”
He added: “We bought a little place we’re going to be working on. We won’t be taking up residence for a while but, yeah, we’re pretty excited about it. We have a little view of Wales from the channel there.”