Jeremy Clarkson Restarts Fight With Council Over Clarkson’s Farm Car Park
Jeremy Clarkson, the beloved presenter of Clarkson’s Farm, has applied for a temporary car park on his Diddly Squat Farm after his original plans were rejected by the local council. The application comes after the West Oxfordshire District Council warned of dangerous parking in the area following the release of Clarkson’s Farm Season 2.
Clarkson’s Farm restaurant was closed after complaints from local residents about congestion caused by visitors to Diddly Squat Farm, as well as the effect it apparently had on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The presenter appealed the council’s decision, which led to the submission of the new application.
It reads as follows:
‘’Application for planning permission for a temporary change of use of part of agricultural field measuring 60 metres by 32 metres to provide car parking for adjacent farm shop until 1st January 2025, including provision of temporary limestone chipping surface.
‘’Whilst there is an application for a permanent car park currently at appeal, the decision on that may be some time away. The proposal includes scraping back the topsoil to form a bund around the temporary parking area and the laying of a landscaping fabric and limestone chippings to form a temporary top surface, that is suitable for cars yet porous.’’
The cover letting accompanying the application states:
“This application therefore proposes a temporary change of use of one area of land to the shop adjacent to facilitate safe and convenient parking to meet this short term demand. It would use the existing site access and allow parking away from the highway for about 70 cars in 4 rows with manoeuvring space in between.
‘’The area will be provided with a temporary hard surface to ensure debris is not tracked onto the highway. The appearance of the parking area would be fitting for the rural area and would not be overly formal, and clearly reversible.”
In a recent statement, Clarkson highlighted the council’s decision to approve “No Waiting At Any Time” restrictions in the area, which coincided with the release of the second season of Clarkson’s Farm. He also stated that the shop is set to reopen, with significant numbers of visitors expected during the Easter and Summer holidays in 2023 and into 2024 when the third series is released – currently being filmed.
Despite this, some fans of the presenter claim that the West Oxfordshire District Council is “not supporting Diddly Squat Farm becoming a successful local business by making a planning decision based on bias towards Jeremy Clarkson”. A change.org petition in support of Clarkson has gathered over 160,000 signatures as of March 14.
Clarkson’s new application for a temporary car park will aim to provide a solution to the parking issue and ensure the safety of visitors to the farm. The plans will be carefully reviewed by the council before a final decision is made.
In the meantime, fans of Clarkson’s Farm eagerly await the reopening of the shop and the release of a potential third season. With his witty remarks and playful attitude, Jeremy Clarkson has once again captured the hearts of viewers and supporters alike.
