Planning officials have blocked Frasier star Kelsey Grammer’s plans for a Grand Designs-style renovation of his West Country coastal home.
His proposal to massively renovate and extend his £1m seaside cottage in Portishead, near Bristol, which included a new basement games room and gym, has been rejected.
The American actor, 69, and his Bristol-born wife, former air hostess Kayte Walsh, 45, bought the property with its stunning views of the Bristol Channel and the Welsh coast almost two years ago to be closer to Kayte’s family.
Described as a “coastal treasure”, the cottage dates back to the late 19th century and features traditional quarry tiles, exposed ceiling beams and stone fireplaces.
But Grammer wanted to turn it into a more luxurious, modern four-bedroom home with a new kitchen-diner, living room and study.
It has applied to North Somerset Council for planning permission to demolish “outdated and dilapidated” extensions and a greenhouse and build a new two-storey side extension.
Frasier star Kelsey Grammer has proposed a Grand Designs-style renovation of his UK seaside home, which overlooks the Bristol Channel (seen above) from near Portishead.
The 69-year-old American actor bought the apartment with his Bristol-born wife Kayte Walsh (left). The couple are pictured with Grammer’s daughter and fellow actor Spencer Grammer.
I also wanted to tear down a garage and carport and build a new basement gym, game room, guest bedroom and basement.
Other proposed works included new doors and windows, a rear deck, an exterior staircase and landscaping modifications including a hardscape and a new driveway.
There were no objections from neighbours, but the local parish council expressed “reservations” about a massive increase in the property’s floor space from 1,828 sq ft.
In a letter, they said: ‘The house is a treasure of the coastal road. Ideally, therefore, its updating would be a more visually empathetic exercise than that undertaken on the adjacent properties.
‘Rather than the general rule of thumb of 50% for footprint expansion, this appears to be closer to 150%.
‘If the footprint is accepted, then the finishes must be carried out sensitively and the visual impact of the ‘mass’ must be presented in an attractive manner.
‘Given these reservations and in the context of the immediately adjacent properties which are all equally directly on the motorway, this proposal is not, in itself, out of step with its surroundings.’
Grammer wants to transform the £1m two-bedroom period house (pictured: master bedroom) into a more luxurious, modern four-bedroom home with a new kitchen-diner, lounge and study.
Wales can be seen from the orangery extension, but the actor wants to demolish it and its “outdated and dilapidated” extensions in favour of a new two-storey side extension.
The stunning period property, described as a “coastal treasure”, dates back to the late 19th century and boasts exposed ceiling beams (seen in the living room) among its historic features.
The Frasier star (seen on the show last year) revealed the purchase in an interview with the BBC saying: “We bought a little place that we’re going to work out of. We’re not going to be based here for a while but yeah, we’re very excited about it.”
The house and its outbuildings date back to the post-medieval period and is one of the oldest houses in the area.
It is located near a listed ancient monument: a hill fort, a saucer-shaped barrow, a banjo enclosure (both named for their shape) and earthworks dating from the Iron Age.
Grammer’s new home was described by estate agents Knight Frank as a “beautiful” detached house with “spectacular” views of the British Channel stretching to the Welsh coast.
In a sales listing, they said: ‘It is situated in a magnificent setting, perfectly positioned along the beautiful coastal road between Portishead and Clevedon, on the edge of the Gordano Valley, with a spectacular uninterrupted view of almost 180 degrees over the adjacent picturesque farmland and beyond to the Bristol Channel.
‘The property has enormous scope to extend and maximise its setting subject to any necessary planning consents.
The cottage (dining room pictured) is one of the oldest in the area, and the local parish council has expressed “reservations” about the scale of the planned expansion.
The current study area consists of a lovely desk with chair and writing table at the top of the stairs overlooking the sea.
The house’s laundry room leads to a small patio and lawn.
The largest bedroom, spanning the full depth of the property, has views in both directions.
‘The house offers comfortable accommodation as currently presented whilst also offering a huge amount of development potential to extend either in a contemporary or traditional design.
‘Immediately behind the garage is an elevated covered terrace, ideal for entertaining with stunning panoramic views over the Canal heading west towards the sunset.’
In refusing the application, North Somerset Council said the extension was too large, roughly doubling the floor area, and would damage the character and appearance of the property, which was described as a “heritage asset”.
They also raised concerns about road safety, as a new road would have poor visibility.
Grammer, who grew up in New Jersey and then Florida, bought the West Country property to be closer to his Bristol-born wife Kayte Walsh’s family.
The star has been seen visiting the area for years after marrying Kayte, the daughter of former Bristol City footballer Alan, in 2011.
Listing photos show the cottage’s traditional stone walls remaining visible in the master bathroom.
The kitchen is currently fitted with a gas hob and built-in oven and microwave, set amongst 1970s-style cabinets.
Grammer’s new home is described by estate agents Knight Frank as a “beautiful” detached house with “spectacular” views of the English Channel.
He is known to be fond of the Somerset town of Portishead, where Kayte grew up and which later gave its name to the 1990s band.
In an interview with the BBC last year, Grammer said: “I love the people of Portishead and I love the time I spend there. It’s a good place.”
“We’ve bought a little place where we’re going to work. We won’t be based there for a while, but yes, we’re very excited. We’ve got a little view of Wales from the channel.”
Grammer played Dr Frasier Crane in the 1990s TV sitcom, which was revived last year by Paramount+ with Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst cast as his old Oxford university friend Professor Alan ‘Corny’ Cornwall.