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.

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Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

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.

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Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

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.

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Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

“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.”

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Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

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.

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Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

“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.