Concerns have been raised over Russell Brand’s intentions to convert his 15th-century tavern into a recording studio.
The comedian has applied to turn a portion of The Crown pub into a studio where he will shoot films for his 6 million-strong YouTube channel.
By paying £850,000 for the lone pub in the Pishill, Henley-on-Thames community with intentions to convert it into a vegan restaurant, Mr. Brand infuriated the neighbourhood residents.
The extra alterations to the Grade II-listed The Crown have been requested by his firm, Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm Ltd, via a South Oxfordshire District Council application.
Planning records demonstrate The 47-year-old Mr. Brand is eager to begin the job as soon as possible before the September 25 premiere of a new programme.
In 2020, Mr. Brand paid £850,000 to purchase The Crown Pub in the hamlet of Pishill, Henley-on-Thames. He intends to convert it into a vegan eatery.
The bar, a well-liked wedding location, is now shuttered and serving as Brand’s temporary employee housing.
The Crown contains a two-bedroom cottage, a separate barn, a parking lot, and outdoor seating.
The public house is temporarily closed while preparations are made to renovate the structure and define the character of the new institution, according to planning records supporting the application.
The whole property recently underwent a change of ownership.
“The public house will eventually reopen,” said the owner. It is currently partially staffed by employees who are freelancing for the applicant.
“Delivery of the new studio will allow the production personnel to move there and forward the preparations for reopening the public house.”
However, one neighbour has already voiced opposition to the proposals, citing a stand-up performance Mr. Brand gave at The Barn, a venue next to the bar.
She stated: “Russell Brand’s stand-up show performance has given a taste of life under the new proprietors; there were vehicles left in every possible location, double and triple parked, with at least eight on the site of the planned development.
“Therefore, it is our well-considered opinion that The Crown cannot currently sustain the business model adopted by the owners due to a lack of parking spaces when all areas, i.e. the offices, studios, and performance venue (The Barn), are operational.
Furthermore, as Russell and Laura Brand continue to become more successful, as I hope and am sure they will, the parking and road safety issues will only get worse,” the statement reads.
I hope my email adequately conveys how disappointed I am with our new neighbours’ will to go through with their plans notwithstanding the effects on our local ecosystem as a whole or even on me and my family.
I genuinely hope you can convey to them the need of pausing and waiting for the relevant surveys and investigations to be completed and reported on before moving forward.
Concerns about the effects of noise have been raised by the Environmental Protection team and the Pishill with Stonor Parish Council as well.
In an effort to “control noise,” Environmental Protection recommended a “noise Control-Sound insulation scheme-Noise” from within the building on August 16.
No development may proceed unless a plan for reducing noise from the building has been presented to and authorised in writing by the local planning authority, according to the team’s report.
Before considering any other usage, the parish council said that they needed to see some movement toward the reopening of the bar.
The Crown was purchased by Mr. Brand and his wife Laura in March 2020. They reside in Henley.
He said that once his recording studio is constructed, the bar would reopen and be renovated.
The deadline for the decision is September 27, 2018.