A PLANNING appeal has been launched to overthrow a decision to stop an historical building in Portishead being developed.
Residents say they are angry and upset that the Masons who own the building in Pier Road, which is the original industrial railway station built in the 1860s, are pursuing plans to turn it into flats.
Chairman of Portishead Town Council Reyna Knight has called for the owners to make it available to benefit the community.
She said: “If the Masons could offer the building at a reasonable rate, it is possible that volunteers within the community could form a trust and take it on as a community building.”
Portishead resident and mum-of-two Annette Hennessy, applied for the building to be given listed status in an attempt to stop its demise, but this was turned down.
A Government inspector will now be appointed to make a ruling on the development. People have until February 23 to register any objections and a decision is expected to be made in March.
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