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.
English actor and broadcaster Peter Duncan, 72, who has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse, is urging health authorities to approve focal therapy more broadly across the UK.
Mr Duncan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, called the treatment “life-changing” after it successfully targeted the cancerous part of his prostate with minimal side effects.
Other public figures who have received focal therapy include Jeremy Clarkson and former prime minister Lord David Cameron.
Mr Duncan said: “I was originally offered a radical prostatectomy which would have removed the whole prostate, but I was lucky enough to be treated with focal therapy which was better for me and a less invasive option.
“It was a complete success, and I’ve only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before.”
The treatment is backed by Prostate Cancer UK, which is urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to review and approve the treatment for wider use on the NHS.
Amy Rylance, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Without a timeline from Nice, we simply don’t know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS.”
A recent report from Imperial College London found focal therapy is as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but carries a much lower risk of incontinence or erectile dysfunction.
One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Richie Reeves broke into the home in Westminster Way on January 12 this year.
Oxford Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old, of Bristow Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, spent the night there and then stole some pants and socks before leaving.
As well as this, Reeves was sentenced, on August 6, for stealing bank cards in various locations and then using them to buy things for himself.
Reeves stole a bank card, wallet and cash belonging to John Keen in Oxford on January 17.
READ MORE: Oxford University student from China found dead at accommodation
He also stole bank cards belonging to Gordon Boland and Aya Zemzam in Milton Keynes in April.
Using the bank cards, the total he spent was £586.87.
Judge Maria Lamb said: “You broke into a young man’s home. You slept in his bed and helped yourself to his belongings.
“The feeling of intrusion to that young man must have been very significant. You were a rough sleeper and entrenched in substance misuse.
“You are now beginning to realise the impact of your offending on other people. It has had an enduring impact. You are now seeking to turn things around.”
Reeves was jailed for a total of 16 months.
The judge added: “I hope you build on the work you are doing already.”
It was reported earlier this week that Southampton’s officers had started using DeterTech’s SmartTag spray.
This can be fired from a handheld canister over distances of up to 10 metres, coating riders, clothing and bikes with an invisible marker.
READ MORE: Tips will no longer accept these items as new £15 charge introduced
The spray is only detectable under ultraviolet light and carries a unique forensic code linked to the specific canister used, allowing investigators to match a suspect to a particular incident weeks or even months later.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary says the technology gives officers a safer tactical option when dealing with motorcycles, e‑bikes and e‑scooters being used in crime or anti‑social behaviour, reducing the need for risky pursuits or close confrontation.
The move comes amid growing complaints about riders using powered two‑wheelers on pavements and in public spaces, and follows similar trials by Dorset Police and other forces to tag offenders rather than chasing them through busy streets.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire shop to permanently close with all products now £1
Thames Valley Police has told this newspaper this week that a second spray is being used in Oxfordshire and across the region.
The DNA tagging spray from SelectaDNA acts in a similar way and is also being used to combat e-bikes and e-scooters.
TVP, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has already seized more than 100 illegal machines in recent operations and warned that privately owned e‑scooters used on public roads risk fines, penalty points and confiscation.
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoHSBC UK & Visa test AI shopping with live payments
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoValarian lands USD $50 million backing for sovereign AI
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoKane tops England influencer rankings after Mexico win
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoSNP & Palantir launch AI tools for SAP transformations
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoDWP now checking bank accounts for Universal Credit and Pension Credit
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoHenley Festival 2026 highlights: Five nights of unforgettable performances and festival moments
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoOde launches free AI voice service for poem recommendations