Locals slam 'scoundrel' Russell Brand over plans for pub in their sleepy Oxfordshire village - as they nervously await council decision
- Russell Brand seeks to convert The Crown Inn pub into recording studios, which has sparked outrage in Pishill, Oxfordshire.
- The proposal is met with strong opposition from locals and influential figures due to concerns about preserving the pub's community role.
- The local council has previously rejected similar plans, indicating a strong desire among residents to protect their historic pub from exploitation.
In October 2024, Russell Brand proposed plans to convert The Crown Inn, an 800-year-old pub in the small village of Pishill, Oxfordshire, into recording studios, causing outrage among local residents. The proposal faces significant opposition, with complaints that it fails to preserve the pub's function as a community gathering space. Critics argue that Brand, currently under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct, is exploiting his wealth to circumvent local sentiment. The initial application was rejected by council members in February due to public objections, with 53 neighbors voicing their discontent. Some locals worry that if Brand's plans progress, the pub will be irreversibly altered, diluting its historical significance to the village. Influential figures, including the local MP, have publicly criticized Brand's ambitions and emphasized the importance of safeguarding local establishments from wealthy individuals treating them as personal investments. The current planning application remains under review as the community awaits a decision from authorities, spurred by growing unrest regarding the fate of The Crown Inn and its role within the village.