PROTESTERS will hold a crisis meeting later this week to discuss the proposed demolition of a Victorian school building once attended by John Logie Baird.

Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed that 102 letters of objection have been received over Cala Homes Scotland's plan to demolish Larchfield Academy, in the Clyde coast town of Helensburgh, and construct six new luxury homes in its place.

The school, built in 1858, is currently part of the private Lomond School campus. The Scottish Civic Trust, the Architectural Heritage Society for Scotland, and local residents' group, Milligs Conservation Association, are among the objectors to the proposals.

They argue that the Larchfield building, located in a conservation area, is structurally sound and that any development should be based on a conversion.

The school insists the proceeds of the sale will fund the construction of a new building which will replace one destroyed by fire.

Larchfield's celebrated list of former pupils include John Logie Baird and Sir James George Frazer of Golden Bough fame, while former masters include the poets Cecil Day-Lewis and WH Auden.

Helensburgh Community Council will hold a public meeting on Thursday evening in the town's Victoria Halls to discuss the implications of the housebuilder's plans for the Upper Helensburgh conservation area.

Milligs Conservation Association is considering the possibility of a judicial review in an attempt to halt the demolition and subsequent development of the Larchfield Academy site.

Mrs Rita Reading, chairwoman of the association, said: ''We believe any proposal to demolish the Larchfield Academy building should be strongly resisted.

''The proposals would contravene several of the conservation area guidelines and result in the loss of a significant building within the area.''

Ms Leigh Johnston, technical assistant with the Scottish Civic Trust, which is normally consulted on all listed building and conservation area applications, said the justification for demolishing the building had not been proved.

She explained: ''As far as we are aware, no structural reports or feasibility studies into other uses for this fine Victorian building have been undertaken.

''It appears to be in a fine structural condition and we believe still offers a variety of architectural features which are of particular merit to the local townscape.''

Architectural Heritage Society for Scotland spokeswoman Audrey Gardner insisted many features of craftsmanship in the building were worth preserving.

She added: ''Larchfield Academy is in many ways an integral part of the district, the quality of which would suffer if it was removed. Where the design planned by Cala is characteristic of some of the buildings in the area, the arrangement is too suburban and we think would look imposed.''

Mr Angus Gilmour, head of development and building control with Argyll and Bute Council, confirmed that Cala Homes had submitted two planning applications regarding Larchfield Academy - one for its demolition and the other for six houses to replace the demolished building.

He said both applications had been very contentious, prompting 102 letters of objection. Mr Gilmour added that a report would be compiled on the applications for the July meeting of the council's Helensburgh area committee.

Lomond School headmaster Angus Macdonald said the sale of Larchfield Academy to Cala Homes had been completed about two months ago. He declined to disclose the fee involved but insisted the school had received the money and that the deal was not dependent on the housebuilder securing planning permission.

The housebuilder has insisted that a conversion of the building would not be ''economic'' because of the configuration of classrooms and corridors within the school.

A spokeswoman said: ''The houses we are proposing to build on the Larchfield Academy site would be part of a range of specific indigenous Scottish architectural designs, which we are confident will fit in with other properties in the conservation area.''