Jeremy Clarkson applies for temporary car park at Diddly Squat Farm
© MAG/Colin Miller Jeremy Clarkson has applied to his local council for permission to build a new temporary car park in a bid to ease congestion on roads around his Oxfordshire farm.
The application seeks permission for change of use of an agricultural field, measuring 60x32m to provide car parking spots opposite his farm shop until January 2025.
Mr Clarkson hopes West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) approve the application, which will allow up to 70 cars to park in four rows with manoeuvring space in between.
See also: Clarkson’s Farm 2 prompts mass support for British farming
The cover letter says: “Whilst there is an application for a permanent car park currently at appeal, the decision on that may be some time away.”
A two-day appeal against WODC’s refusal to grant permission for his original application of a permanent car park on the site was held before the Planning Inspectorate this week.
The former Top Gear presenter is also appealing the Cotswold council’s decision to close his Diddly Squat Farm restaurant.
Mr Clarkson did not appear in person at the appeal this week. However, asked by a Twitter user how the hearing went, he said: “The coverage makes it sound like a civil war is raging. The truth: a compromise will be reached.”
Responding to another person who asked how the hearing went, Mr Clarkson said: “Fingers crossed.”
Racing driver Alice Powell shared a video on Twitter this week showing dozens of cars parked up on a country road outside Diddly Squat Farm, in order to visit Mr Clarkson’s farm shop, in Chadlington.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why @JeremyClarkson #DiddleySquatFarm needs a car park!! Parking on a main, busy road and also on private property to get off the road. @OxfordshireCC come on, putting lives at bloody risk 🤬 pic.twitter.com/805su5hAqf
— Alice Powell (@alicepowell) March 11, 2023
Gill Hill, former Chadlington Parish Council clerk and a resident of Chadlington, told Farmers Weekly: “Jeremy Clarkson has lived in the area for many years and he can do a lot for the community.
“He has done so much for farming and can do a lot for local farmers by selling their products, whereas the big supermarkets undercut farmers.
“The planning application [for a permanent car park] has divided the village without a doubt and it is a shame. But it is only a certain few who were making a big issue of it.”