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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri

Russell Brand's plans to convert historic pub into recording studio rejected by council

Russell Brand has been refused permission to convert his historic pub into offices and a recording studio.

The comedian, 48, bought the former Crown Inn in Pishill village, near Henley-on-Thames, in 2020 but reportedly never opened it.

Locals were left furious four years on after Brand submitted a planning application to South Oxfordshire council last November.

A view outside The Crown Inn pub (REUTERS)

The application requested that the venue becomes offices for associated digital media production activities as well as using the barn for community functions and events.

Council chiefs have now rejected the plans on the basis that it would lead to the village losing an “essential community facility”.

Adrian Duffield, head of planning, told the Henley Standard: “This application has failed to demonstrate an acceptable replacement for the lost facility or that the facility is no longer required and is no longer economically viable.”

He said the application failed to prove that the proposed development would not harm protected trees on the site or cause noise disturbances to neighbours.

Brand had proposed to convert the ground and first floors of the 17th-century building into office spaces and use the adjacent barn for “community-based purposes” with a food and drink outlet in the stables.

Around 50 villagers had objected to the plans and the proposed changes also drew opposition from beer campaigners.

David Cooper, from the South Oxfordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said the village would lose “an essential community facility”.

Brand has shunned mainstream media, creating his own podcast, Stay Free, where he speaks of “revolutionary politics and spiritual awakenings”.

He also publishes videos on his YouTube channel, which were said to have made £200 to £4,000 per video before the streaming giant halted his revenues after sexual assault allegations were levelled against him.

Brand has vehemently denied all accusations.

South Oxfordshire District Council and Russell Brand have been contacted for comment.

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