Clarksons Farm – Planning Issues

Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm has come under the spotlight again recently with the release of the 3rd season of the popular farming show.

The hit show has had planning permission issues running through its core as one of the central plotlines ever since it hit the screens.

Clarkson’s Farm Planning Woes

So what are the issues making the former Top Gear presenter’s venture into farming a bit of a sticky situation?

Clarkson’s farm is situated in the Cotswolds, an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (or AONB). Due to this fact, there are tighter restrictions on planning applications. Local planning officers, the much-maligned West Oxfordshire District Council in this instance have a real duty to maintain the natural beauty of the area.

Of course, the characteristics of an AONB like the Cotswolds are things like peaceful landscapes covered in beautiful countryside, quiet roads and quaint villages.

So it is understandable that West Oxfordshire District Council are protective of the area, and they are committed to sticking to their local plan.

The Car Park

One of the early refusals Clarkson encountered was regarding an extension of the existing parking area used for the Farm Shop.

Understandably, due to his profile, the Diddly Squat farm shop was getting many more visitors than a standard farm shop would hope to receive.

With that comes cars, and there was an issue with a local road being congested, to resolve that situation Clarkson looked to extend the car parking facilities and amend the access arrangements.

This application was refused due to the following:

By reason of its location, size and design the proposed development would not be
sustainable and would not be compatible or consistent in scale with the existing farming
business or its open countryside location and would have a visually intrusive and harmful
impact on the rural character, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the Cotswolds Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty and Wychwood Project Area in conflict with Local Plan
Policies OS2, E2, EH1, EH2 and BC1 of the West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031, advice in
the NPPF and policies of the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan.

West Oxfordshire District Council (accessible at: https://publicaccess.westoxon.gov.uk/online-applications/files/D211516B312150BA8ABDBA8E4BF223BD/pdf/22_00613_FUL-REFUSAL_-_FULL_APPLICATION-1092751.pdf)

That refusal was dated 6th May 2022.

In Season 3 of Clarkson’s Farm, Jeremy wins an appeal over the refusal of the car park.

A brief summary of the appeal is as follows:

As well as the standard implementation condition it is necessary to refer to the
approved drawings in the interests of certainty. A condition is necessary to limit
the use to a period of three years and requiring restoration of the site following
that period. I see no reason to disagree that given the construction method that
would not be too onerous or unreasonable. Conditions are required to ensure
the implementation and retention of the landscaping scheme along with the
parking area and its use.

West Oxfordshire District Council (accessible at: https://publicaccess.westoxon.gov.uk/online-applications/files/6E2498ABD6E6B0644C27FF3C241CB3B5/pdf/22_00613_FUL-APPEAL_DECISION-1218640.pdf)

So it should be noted the planning permission is only granted for a 3-year period, then the site will need to be returned to its original state.

The Restaurant

With cows being part of the livestock on the farm. Clarkson opened a restaurant to serve the beef from the farm to customers in an on-site restaurant.

Predictably, this venture went as smoothly as many of Jeremy’s other farming ventures and disaster was just around the corner.

The restaurant was initially sited in a converted lambing shed however the planning for this was rejected on the grounds that it was out of keeping with the Cotswolds AONB.

Following this setback, Clarkson believed he had found a loophole by using an older farm building at a different location on his Farm.

Spoiler alert – there was no loophole. The restaurant being in the ‘Lowland Barn’ was still interpreted be the local planning authority to be an unlawful change of use.

…to a mixed agricultural and leisure attraction use, comprising café, restaurant, gift/farmshop, parking
and lavatory facilities.

West Oxfordshire District Council (accessible at: https://publicaccess.westoxon.gov.uk/online-applications/files/5B80A6021CD24F27CCB86C132E0933D6/pdf/22_00613_FUL-ENFORCEMENT_NOTICE_2022_20_APP…3306729__EN2022_20_-1137951.pdf)

The enforcement notice issued by the local council required Clarkson to reinstate the barn to its former state. Removing the installed hardcore and surface materials, wooden sleepers, wooden plank edging and wood chippings that had been part of the restaurant build.

Clarkson’s Farm planning battles with regards to a restaurant seem to be at an end. The local council have allowed a burger van near the farm shop. However, any plans for a formal restaurant have been shelved at the time of writing.

Specialist Planning Help

The planning issues at Diddly Squat Farm have pushed planning permission into the popular culture spotlight.

Change of permission has become the water cooler chat! Who would have thought that?

It has also put the West Oxfordshire District Council under the spotlight and many people see them as the bad guys. We are talking about a TV show here though, and the planning tug-of-war between the farm and the council has obviously been dramatised to make good telly. The Council are doing a tough job in protecting an AONB and that needs to be respected.

Could Clarkson’s Farm planning issues have been alleviated with a better approach?

With his profile and unique circumstances, the Clarkson’s Farm planning problems were probably quite inevitable.

Simple Planning Solutions can help with Heritage Assets and delicate planning issues where sites may be in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Send us a message to get help with your planning permission issue today.