Oxford News
Jeremy Clarkson reignites council row with new farm plans bid
The star faced a much-publicised battle with the council to resolve car parking woes at his Diddly Squat Farm as visitors flocked to the site due to the success of the television series Clarkson’s Farm.
Permission was eventually granted on appeal in June 2023 to extend the temporary car park on land previously used for agriculture to deal with the influx.
Under the imposed conditions, Clarkson was ordered to return the land to its original state within three years, which would give them a deadline of June this year.
But with the ongoing success of the show, his team have now applied for planning permission to extend this deadline until the end of 2030.
READ MORE: TV celeb ‘hasn’t been back’ to Jeremy Clarkson’s farm after problem
The Planning Inspectorate approved the car parking extension to combat severe traffic issues on the surrounding rural roads, but refused plans for a permanent restaurant there.
His representatives said the original conditions needed amendment as season six has already been commissioned, which will air in summer 2027.
When the original permission was granted on appeal, the second series had just been aired, and the length of impact on the surrounding area wasn’t clear, they said.
His representatives said: “Season five will air this year, and season six has been commissioned and will air in summer 2027. Three further years to monitor and review thereafter seems appropriate.”
His team said the planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council was to amend two previously approved conditions.
READ MORE: Cotswolds private school to close down after over 100 years
They added: “Both conditions impose a time limit on the operation of the site and use of adjacent land for car parking.
“The reason for imposing the condition is clearly set out in the Inspector’s decision letter, when considering the planning balance.
“That was to allow continued monitoring of the effects of the use and associated demand for parking, in light of the success or otherwise of the undertaking and in the context of whether the associated television programme would continue to be commissioned.
“At the time of the appeal, the second series had just aired, and it was renewed for a third series.
“The three-year time limit was chosen on the basis that if the third series was the final one, then two years of monitoring after airing was sufficient to assess demand.
READ MORE: Prince William gets behind the wheel of Formula E racing car in Oxfordshire
“It is currently renewed for the fifth series, which is yet to air.
“The site continues to be popular and attracts sufficient customers to warrant the provision of additional parking.
“It maintains the associated benefits to the farms and other businesses that supply the farm shop and café, and in turn the economic and social well-being of the wider area.
“The provision of the dedicated additional parking and careful monitoring by the applicants has also ensured that parking on the adjacent highway is precluded.
“The landscaping around the car park area has started to mature and assists in assimilating the site into the surrounding landscape and existing sylvan backdrop.”
READ MORE: Fire tears through Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper’s barn
Clarkson’s team said there were ‘unique circumstances’ that should allow them a second temporary consent while acknowledging it wasn’t ‘normal to do so.’
They added: “In light of the continued popularity of the site and associated television programme, we are requesting a further extension of the limited period consents for the use and associated development to provide car parking.
“Whilst it is normal to only grant one temporary consent, it also confirms that it is justifiable in cases where changing circumstances provide a clear rationale for doing so.
“The application site is one such case and set of unique changing circumstances. The Inspector clearly identified that the association with a popular current television programme is a unique circumstance which generates a time-limited demand.
“The rationale is clear – at such time as the television programme no longer airs, then demand may reduce, and the parking required for the operation of the farm shop can be assessed and appropriate provision made.
READ MORE: Cotswolds pub unveils £95 seafood platter which needs three days’ notice
“It is true to say that the impacts of the car parking area and use are only associated with the number of customers, and as such, even if the temporary period consented is longer than ultimately required, that does not preclude earlier remediation if demand wanes.
“In any event, if the additional car park is not in use, it will not have the same landscape impact compared to when it is full.
“Given the advice of the Government that a series of temporary consents is less desirable, it is in our view prudent to allow a second period of appropriate length to cover the potential period of significant public interest in the site.
“We trust officers will support these proposals. If you wish to discuss any matters in this.”
No further documents or public representations have so far been submitted, and a decision will be made by West Oxfordshire District Council at a later date.
The royal has overseen Highgrove in Gloucestershire since 1980, transforming it with extensive, carefully designed gardens.
Now, a vacancy for a communications executive with The King’s Foundation, working at the spot near Tetbury, has been advertised on LinkedIn.
According to Hello magazine, the successful applicant will be based on site and help to promote the King’s private country home to the wider public.
READ MORE: Cotswolds private school to close down after over 100 years
The role focuses on creating digital content about Highgrove’s gardens, events and educational programmes.
Key tasks include planning and producing posts for the estate’s social media channels, drafting copy for websites and newsletters, and helping to publicise workshops and visitor experiences held in the grounds.
The communications executive will also support press and media activity linked to Highgrove, working with colleagues at The King’s Foundation.
The advert says the charity is looking for candidates with experience in social media, copywriting and digital campaigns, and an eye for engaging visual content.
READ MORE: Prince William gets behind the wheel of Formula E racing car
It describes the job as an “exciting opportunity” for someone who enjoys storytelling and has an interest in horticulture, heritage and the environment.
Highgrove House is a Georgian property which serves as a private residence for the King and Queen Camilla.
The surrounding gardens are managed by The King’s Foundation and open to paying visitors on selected dates between April and October.
Income from tours and events helps to support the charity’s wider work.
Scyld Berry, chief cricket writer at The Telegraph, has bemoaned the current state of the sport at the university, in particular at the University Parks ground where the best part of 1,000 first-class matches were played.
Writing in his column, Mr Berry said: “Not a floodlight in sight. Not a pom-pom girl, nor spider-cam, no stand for spectators, no charge for admission, no PA system, no music at all.
READ MORE: Government minister commits to human rights treaty at Oxford University event
“Yet here and at Fenner’s, the first-class cricket season used to open every April.
“Amateurs would play against professionals – and Oxford beat every first-class county at some time or other except the latterday Durham – while many a future England captain cut his teeth.”
Citing the history of the ground, he explained that many England captains had originally played for the Oxford University team, including Douglas Jardine who captained England in the infamous ‘bodyline’ Ashes series of 1932-33.
In addition a number of overseas players have been part of the university team, including Imran Khan who captained Pakistan to its 1992 World Cup victory and went on to become the country’s Prime Minister.
READ MORE: Historic Cotswolds hotel next to Blenheim Palace put up for near £2m sale
However, in recent decades the team has declined, with the centuries old Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge losing its first-class status (elite status) in 2020.
Furthermore, greater threats have been reported for university cricket with a number of titles revealing last year that the England and Wales Cricket Board planned to slash funding.
Durham paper Palatinate said that the sport’s governing body was going to cut £200,000 from its University Centres of Cricketing Excellence, including Oxford.
Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones was annoyed to discover he could not walk in at Redbridge recycling centre in Old Abingdon Road, Oxford, to recycle some old wooden pallets.
Now he is urging Oxfordshire County Council to create a designated pathway for pedestrians as only cars and bikes can use the centres at the moment.
READ MORE: New supermarket welcomes customers
Dr Emlyn-Jones, who lives in Oxford, said: “Since I do not own a car and my rubbish is ineligible for bulky waste collection, I was all set to walk to Redbridge recycling centre the other day, rubbish in a trolley, when I discovered that pedestrians are banned from the place.
“Bicycles fine, cars fine, pedestrians no. This edict seems especially bizarre since the centre is full of people milling around on foot in order to put their rubbish in the appropriate skip.
“Oxford is rightly discouraging car use in increasingly elaborate ways, so why on earth are pedestrian recyclers such as myself being excluded like this?
“Fortunately a neighbour is helping me, but such restrictions on rubbish disposal will simply drive people to illegal rubbish collection companies which fly-tip and create illegal garbage mountains such as the one in Kidlington.”
Dr Emlyn-Jones added: “How much effort would it take to create a designated pathway for pedestrians?
“The county council has introduced LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods) and the congestion charge. It should be doing more to encourage pedestrians.”
A county council spokesman said: “Pedestrians are not permitted to enter any of Oxfordshire’s waste and recycling centres. There are no segregated walkways to enable pedestrians to enter and exit the sites safely.
“Cyclists can use the site, and you can visit with a bike trailer too.
“Some districts provide recycling containers, such as those located in supermarket car parks or community centres. These often collect similar items to household waste recycling centres and are often more easily accessible on foot.
“Some shops also offer collection points for more specific items like printer cartridges, Brita filters, and some lightbulbs.”
The county council operates seven household waste recycling centres including Redbridge household waste recycling centre, next to Redbridge park-and-ride in Oxford.
The centre is expected to close for three months this summer for safety work.
A spokesperson for the county council said earlier: “Redbridge HWRC will close during the summer for a period of three months. The exact date of closure will be confirmed as soon as possible.
“The safety works are primarily for ground stabilisation. This will involve the installation of corrugated steel sheet piling along the east and west of the site embankments, along with some other concrete repair works.”
-
Crime & Safety4 days agoBicester man denies sexually assaulting two young girls
-
UK News4 days agoStarmer says it ‘beggars belief’ he wasn’t told about Mandelson vetting failure as he faces Commons – UK politics live | Politics
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoOxfordshire village fear for welfare incident update issued
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoLorry overturns on Oxfordshire A43 roundabout with driver trapped
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoDrug driving arrest carried out in Oxfordshire market town
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoFirst Indie Oxford Day kicks off with great success
-
UK News2 days agoTV tonight: Shetland meets CSI in a new drama about a disgraced cop | Television
-
Crime & Safety1 week agoOxford teacher who fiddled grades wants banning order ended