Clarkson's Farm crowds drive support for parking plan

Plans by Jeremy Clarkson to keep his temporary car park at Diddly Squat Farm have been backed by a council.

The TV presenter was granted temporary planning permission for three years for the car park at his farm in the Cotswolds in 2023.

A planning application stated that it should be extended until 2030, "in light of the continued popularity of the site and associated television programme".

Oxfordshire County Council said it supported the extension due to "expected ongoing demand" from the filming of the TV series.

Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington is featured in the Amazon Prime Video documentary series Clarkson's Farm.

A decision on the application will be made by West Oxfordshire District Council at a later date.

In 2023 Clarkson successfully appealled against a decision by his local authority about changes made to his farmland.

The Planning Inspectorate granted permission for an extension and for changes to use of the land. However, it did not allow for the addition of a restaurant.

A planning application to extend temporary consent for the car park until the end of 2030 was submitted by Clarkson's representatives in April.

The application said the original permission was based on three series of Clarkson's Farm being commissioned. The show has since been renewed for a sixth series, which is yet to air.

It said filming at the site provided "unique changing circumstances".

"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," it added.

In its submission to the planning application, the county council's transport development lead said: "Oxfordshire County Council support the extension of the temporary permission as suggested to align with the expected ongoing demand associated with the television series schedule.

"The additional car parking is an important facility in accommodating car parking that would otherwise likely cause disruption and safety concerns on the adjacent highway."