PORTISHEAD’S United Reformed Church (URC) building will not be demolished, according to the developers who recently bought the historic building.

Alex Fawcett, managing director of Bristol-based Brownfield Green, will unveil his company’s vision for the building’s development at a town council planning meeting tonight (Wed).

The company, which specialises in converting historic buildings, plans to convert the Woodhill Road church into six houses and two duplex flats, minimising external alterations.

Mr Fawcett said: “We will consult carefully with the local community and are very much aware that the public want the church preserved. It is a tricky building but we are confident that with careful planning we can sympathetically restore and develop it in to quality homes that people will love without making too many changes to the outside.”

Historical plaques have been removed from the church and are currently in safe keeping with the Gordano Society, however, Mr Fawcett says they have agreed to include the plaques in the development.

He added: “We listened to other developers’ proposals for the site, some of which were quite brutal, and felt that our option would be more favourable to the people of Portishead.”

Brownfield Green has recently completed the development of an old church and chapel house in Blagdon. An open day at the development in Street End on November 24 will provide an opportunity for the public to see the work of the developers first hand.

The public can also attend the planning meeting in Portishead tonight which begins at 7.30pm at the Folk Hall in High Street.