Russell Brand has made yet another attempt to turn his 800-year-old pub into recording studios for his podcast - just weeks after his first bid was rejected by planning bosses.
The disgraced comic, 48, bought The Crown in Pishill, Oxfordshire in 2020 for £870,000 with many believing he would keep the Grade II listed building as a beloved boozer for those in the small village.
But four years on, the pub remains closed with Brand seemingly using the pub as his HQ - a space to film his anti-establishment podcasts and videos, with a sign above the mantelpiece reading ‘recording studio'.
The star's first bid to turn the pub into offices for digital media production activities was rejected in February with South Oxfordshire Council ruling that the village would lose an ‘essential community facility' if Brand was given the green light novel.
Residents were furious over the initial plans, accusing the actor of treating their picturesque village like a ‘playground' claiming that he could have ‘run his empire' from anywhere.
Russell Brand, 48,bought The Crown in Pishill, Oxfordshire in 2020 for £870,000 with many believing he would keep the Grade II listed building as a beloved boozer for those in the small village
The Crown remains closed with Brand seemingly using the pub as his HQ - a space to film his anti-establishment podcasts and videos, with a sign above the mantelpiece reading ‘recording studio'
A week after his first application was rejection Brand's production company - Pablo Diablo's Legitimate Business Firm Limited - submitted another application, calling for the pub's first floor to be made into offices with the garage and cottage into a filming studio
The council received 50 objections to the initial plans as those living in the close-knit community near Henley pointing out that, as a teetotaller, the star may have never intended to reopen it as a public house.
Refusing to back down, however, a week after its rejection Brand's production company - Pablo Diablo's Legitimate Business Firm Limited - submitted another application, calling for the pub's first floor to be made into offices with the garage and cottage into a filming studio.
Since disappearing from mainstream media, Brand has created his own podcast - Stay Free - where he speaks of ‘revolutionary politics and spiritual awakenings' and streams content on various video platforms - which neighbours said is filmed in his pub.
A string of objections have already been submitted to the Oxfordshire council loudly objecting to Brand's second attempt of changing the pub's use. Some called on the local authority to act on the public's behalf to ‘prevent predatory purchases' by developers.
Pat Pearce, who is the clerk at Stonor Parish Council, said: ‘The Parish Council maintains their strong objection to the proposed mixed use of the site as described in the supporting documentation supplied with the application.'
A string of objections have already been submitted to the Oxfordshire council loudly objecting to Brand's second attempt of changing the pub's use. Some called on the local authority to act on the public's behalf to ‘prevent predatory purchases' by developers
Initially, the council received 50 objections to the initial plans as those living in the close-knit community near Henley pointing out that, as a teetotaller, the star may have never intended to reopen it as a public house
Since disappearing from mainstream media, Brand has created his own podcast - Stay Free - where he speaks of ‘revolutionary politics and spiritual awakenings' and streams content on various video platforms - which neighbours said is filmed in his pub
Mrs Pearce added: The applicant has never opened the premises, so they cannot prove that it is not viable. It has previously been a thriving public house and restaurant, with the barn being used as a successful wedding and party venue.
‘We fail to see why this cannot be achieved again with the correct dedication and commitment.
The disgraced comic, 48, bought The Crown in Pishill, Oxfordshire in 2020 for £870,000 with many believing he would keep the Grade II listed building as a beloved boozer for those in the small village.
But four years on, the pub remains closed with Brand seemingly using the pub as his HQ - a space to film his anti-establishment podcasts and videos, with a sign above the mantelpiece reading ‘recording studio'.
The star's first bid to turn the pub into offices for digital media production activities was rejected in February with South Oxfordshire Council ruling that the village would lose an ‘essential community facility' if Brand was given the green light novel.
Residents were furious over the initial plans, accusing the actor of treating their picturesque village like a ‘playground' claiming that he could have ‘run his empire' from anywhere.
Russell Brand, 48,bought The Crown in Pishill, Oxfordshire in 2020 for £870,000 with many believing he would keep the Grade II listed building as a beloved boozer for those in the small village
The Crown remains closed with Brand seemingly using the pub as his HQ - a space to film his anti-establishment podcasts and videos, with a sign above the mantelpiece reading ‘recording studio'
A week after his first application was rejection Brand's production company - Pablo Diablo's Legitimate Business Firm Limited - submitted another application, calling for the pub's first floor to be made into offices with the garage and cottage into a filming studio
The council received 50 objections to the initial plans as those living in the close-knit community near Henley pointing out that, as a teetotaller, the star may have never intended to reopen it as a public house.
Refusing to back down, however, a week after its rejection Brand's production company - Pablo Diablo's Legitimate Business Firm Limited - submitted another application, calling for the pub's first floor to be made into offices with the garage and cottage into a filming studio.
Since disappearing from mainstream media, Brand has created his own podcast - Stay Free - where he speaks of ‘revolutionary politics and spiritual awakenings' and streams content on various video platforms - which neighbours said is filmed in his pub.
A string of objections have already been submitted to the Oxfordshire council loudly objecting to Brand's second attempt of changing the pub's use. Some called on the local authority to act on the public's behalf to ‘prevent predatory purchases' by developers.
Pat Pearce, who is the clerk at Stonor Parish Council, said: ‘The Parish Council maintains their strong objection to the proposed mixed use of the site as described in the supporting documentation supplied with the application.'
A string of objections have already been submitted to the Oxfordshire council loudly objecting to Brand's second attempt of changing the pub's use. Some called on the local authority to act on the public's behalf to ‘prevent predatory purchases' by developers
Initially, the council received 50 objections to the initial plans as those living in the close-knit community near Henley pointing out that, as a teetotaller, the star may have never intended to reopen it as a public house
Since disappearing from mainstream media, Brand has created his own podcast - Stay Free - where he speaks of ‘revolutionary politics and spiritual awakenings' and streams content on various video platforms - which neighbours said is filmed in his pub
Mrs Pearce added: The applicant has never opened the premises, so they cannot prove that it is not viable. It has previously been a thriving public house and restaurant, with the barn being used as a successful wedding and party venue.
‘We fail to see why this cannot be achieved again with the correct dedication and commitment.