Kelsey Grammer, the Frasier actor, and his British wife have clashed with their neighbours after receiving permission to demolish a cottage in Somerset.
Grammer, 70, and Kayte Walsh, 46, plan to knock down the 200-year-old property overlooking the Bristol Channel to build a modern home with a games room and gym.
The couple’s original proposal to revamp and extend the house, near Portishead, was rejected last year by North Somerset council, which it said would harm the property’s value as part of the area’s heritage.
But the couple’s company, The Fossil UK Trust, later submitted a new application to demolish the entire building. Planners confirmed that no further permission was required.
A notice taped to the property states that the site is to be “levelled and cleared”.
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Neighbours have posted objections on the council’s website. One wrote: “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.”
Another described the planned demolition as “a very sad day”, adding: “The other objections state quite clearly the reasons why demolition should not be entertained.”
A third resident argued that the property was part of the area’s history. “It is one of the few habitations that can be seen on the 1840 tithe maps along the coast road from Portishead to Clevedon,” they said. “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.”
The cottage, described by the estate agent Knight Frank as a “pretty” detached home with “spectacular” views over the channel, features traditional quarry tiles, exposed ceiling timbers and stone fireplaces.
Grammer, who was raised in New Jersey and Florida, bought the property to be closer to his wife’s family. Walsh was born in Bristol. He told the BBC in 2023: “I love the people in Portishead and I love my time there. It’s a good spot.
“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.”
