Russell Brand sells Oxfordshire country pub: The Crown Inn in Pishill fetches almost £1m after plans to convert it into recording studio thwarted by neighbours

A country pub owned by controversial celebrity provocateur Russell Brand has been sold - after neighbours thwarted plans to convert it into a recording studio. The star, who is set to go on trial for rape later this year - is understood to have sold the venue for nearly £1 million after planning applications to develop the site, at The Crown Inn, in Pishill, Oxfordshire, were rejected.

He twice applied to turn the 15th century boozer into a recording studio for his online videos and podcasts but was met with fierce resistance from locals. More than 50 neighbours complained over the first application, with more following ahead of the second plans being evaluated - and the star eventually withdrew them.

The Henley Standard has now reported the 50-year-old has sold the pub for £975,000 - around £125,000 more than he paid for it. The local paper reported John Bloomer, group secretary of the National Farmers’ Union, is the new owner.

Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley, told the paper: “I’m delighted for residents who had their local pub closed for years by a ‘celebrity’ for the purpose of recording self-promotion and conspiratorial YouTube content. I’m so pleased that this much-loved pub is back in good hands. I wish the new owners huge success and I’m sure they will be well supported by the community.”

Brand made his name as a comedian in the late 2000s and early 2010s but has since reinvented himself as a podcaster and influencer. He is set to face trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault in October.

Mr Brand, who has a home in the UK but now lives in the US, is accused of three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, with six women alleging crimes dating from 1999 to 2009. He denies all the claims against him.

Mr Brand, Mr van Mierlo and Mr Bloomer were approached for comment.