08 February 2024 , 21:02
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Russell Brand's plans to transform a historic pub into a recording studio for his podcasts were rejected by the council.
The Crown was once a thriving monastic community, with ale being available at the location since the 11th century. The current building dates back to the 1400s, with the current barn being around 400 years old. Actor and comedian Russell purchased the pub in Pishill, Oxfordshire, in 2020.
At the time, it was understood by the local community that the place would remain a pub for people to visit. However, he soon submitted a planning application to South Oxfordshire in November 2023. The plans stated the pub would be transformed into offices for digital media production.
The barn would be used for community events and more. Council chiefs rejected the plan and said the area would lose an 'essential community facility'.
The plans stated the pub would be transformed into offices for digital media production (SWNS)"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," the head of planning at South Oxfordshire Council, Adrian Duffield, explained to the Henley Standard.
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Duffield added that not enough information was submitted to explain whether important and protected trees on the site would not be harmed by the submitted development. Earlier this year, locals shared their disapproval of Russell's plans to change the pub. They said to MailOnline: "If he wanted to just have peace and quiet to be left alone to do his podcast he could have bought a barn.
"It's a visited pub, a very friendly village, it is a very good community and he has taken that building away." Mirror Online has contacted Russell's representative for comment. The plan rejection comes after the Get Him To The Greek actor was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse at the height of his fame.
Locals were disgruntled by his initial plans (Tucker Carlson/Youtube)Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times published the allegations in September 2022. Four women are alleged to have come forward with claims, with the incidents taking place between 2006 and 2013. During this time Brand was a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and starred in several Hollywood films.
In November, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that he had been questioned over the "non-recent" allegations. But while Russell has remained tight-lipped since his initial denial, he has now commented on the claims. The YouTuber said: "Of course, I deny any allegations, that have been advanced. I reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms."
During a podcast interview with Carlson Tucker, the actor and comedian went on to say that the crimes he has been accused of committing are "appalling", claiming that the criticism he has subsequently faced is a "deliberate profound attempt to shut down any dissent in an astonishingly aggressive way."