Jeremy Clarkson has won a portion of his struggle against West Oxfordshire District Council, as he has been given permission to expand his Diddly Squat farm store parking lot.
However, the former Top Gear host has still been denied permission to build an on-site restaurant.
The Clarkson’s Farm presenter, 63, has been embroiled in a legal battle over farm plans, having previously applied to increase the car park at his on-site shop near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
After Clarkson appeared visibly upset by the refusal, the council insisted that he would have been treated ‘no differently,’ issuing a statement saying, ‘We understand that the planning process shown in Season 2 of Clarkson’s Farm can appear obstructive and that people will be confused by the planning decisions at Diddly Squat Farm.’
However, the council has now approved the extension and alterations to the land’s use – but not the inclusion of a restaurant.
The report by planning inspector RJ Perrins outlines that the council objected to Clarkson adaption the land to ‘a mixed agricultural and leisure attraction use, comprising cafe, restaurant, gift/farm shop, parking and lavatory facilities.’
It continues by granting permission for three years for extending the car park and ‘formalist temporary parking and provision of new access arrangements.’
Diddly Squat was also labelled as a “victim of its own popularity” in the study.
It went on to highlight prior ‘inconveniences’ caused by a shortage of parking, something Clarkson has also addressed in the past, when motorists were discovered parking on the grass verges leading up to the farm and lineups developed.
The report stated: ‘I am in no doubt that this has caused a huge inconvenience for those who live nearby.
‘It was clear to me that many people visiting on the day of my final site visit had no regard to the proper use of the highway, with verges being further churned up and traffic having to stop, as visitors walked the middle of the road or cars manoeuvred into tight spaces.
‘From that snapshot in time I am not surprised, as heard in evidence, that tensions have run high between some of those living locally and some visitors to the farm shop.’
A spokesperson for West Oxfordshire District Council added to Metro.co.uk that this was a ‘split’ decision where ‘neither side had everything approved.’
Cllr Andy Graham, Leader of the Council added to Metro.co.uk: ‘We are grateful for the clarity that this decision gives us and we look forward to working with Mr Clarkson and the Diddly Squat Farm team for the benefit of the West Oxfordshire economy and residents. We offer constructive pre-application advice to all businesses and residents and will be happy to work with Diddly Squat on any future plans. Our door has always been open, and will remain open.
‘We are also pleased with the decision made by the Planning Inspector to grant a temporary car park at the site. We encouraged Diddly Squat Farm to make an application for a temporary car park last year and hopefully this solution will improve the parking issues we have seen in the area.
‘There is no doubt that in many ways Diddly Squat Farm has had a really positive impact, both locally and nationally, but it needs to operate within planning law and policy to make sure the activities on the site are carried out in a way that limits the impact on the AONB, the environment and local area. This has been reinforced by the inspector’s decision.
‘We support the diversification of farms and local producers and it was on this basis that we originally gave planning permission for the farm shop. We have always been clear that we treat all businesses and individuals equally and fairly and Diddly Squat Farm is no different.’
Clarkson’s Farm is available to watch on Prime Video.
Source My Celebrity Life.
