Jeremy Clarkson is forced to change design plans for the expansion of Diddly Squat farm after being hit with more than 40 objections over fears of increased traffic in village
- Clarkson, 61, had submitted a planning application to open a 70-space car park
- The plan also included a 60-seater café at his farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire
- The popularity of Clarkson’s Farm has led to queues for Diddly Squat Farm Shop
Jeremy Clarkson has been forced to change design plans for the expansion of Diddly Squat farm after being hit with more than 40 objections over fears of increased traffic in the village.
The former Top Gear host, 61, had submitted a planning application to open a 70-space car park and a 60-seater café at his farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.
The popularity of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime has led to queues for the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, with neighbours growing concerned after hundreds of enthusiastic fans started queuing outside his estate.
Now residents have stepped up the fight to block the TV presenter’s planning application with a total of 40 formal objections lodged on West Oxfordshire District Council’s website and just six letters in support.
Jeremy Clarkson has been forced to change design plans for the expansion of Diddly Squat farm after being hit with more than 40 objections over fears of increased traffic in the village
The former Top Gear host (pictured), 61, had submitted a planning application to open a 70-space car park and a 60-seater café at his farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire
In response, the architects in charge of the project, Courtingtons, have released amended designs in the hope of garnering support.
The new proposals will see the creation of a one way system in and out of the proposed 70-space car park, which is backed by an additional ‘overflow’ car park field.
The new design will also include a separate entrance driveway, along with a bike parking space, in an effort to appease locals furious at traffic problems coming in and out of the village.
It comes after consultee ERS Pollution said the land is a former quarry which might be ‘contaminated’.
It claimed that the proposed site has been previously used as a quarry so may contain ‘filled ground’, while an investigation will have to be carried out before building can take place.
One local, Michael Cooper, wrote: ‘The Diddly Squat Farm shop has attracted an increase of clientele to the location the vast majority of which are more interested in purchasing goods and merchandise promoting the Diddly Squat ‘brand’ as opposed to ‘Bona Fide’ farming or agriculture produce.
Jeremy Clarkson (pictured), 61, had submitted a planning application to open a 70-space car park at a 60-seater café at his farm in in Chadlington, Oxfordshire
But Clarkson’s plans to expand his farm (pictured)have been thrown into doubt as a response to his application said the land is a former quarry which might be ‘contaminated’
‘This is clearly confirmed in the Diddly Squat Farm Trip Advisor reviews from the purchasers themselves.
‘There is clear evidence of the site being visited out of normal business hours.’
Susan Myatt wrote about her worries that the expansion would make things worse even with additional parking.
She said: ‘The site is unsuitable for a café plus the farm shop where there is only a few parking spaces available but there are often any number between 100 and 300 cars parked in an arable field, bringing red mud on to the road.’
Another neighbour, Mark Cheyne, who completed construction of his new mansion next to Diddly Squat last month after famously blowing up the old farm cottage, said: ‘The extraordinary number of people attracted by the celebrity status of the applicant is totally out of proportion with custom for a small farm shop which has permission only to sell local produce.
‘Approval of this application can only exacerbate the detrimental effect from which the landscape is already suffering, directly caused by the approval of previous applications.
The popularity of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime has led to queues for the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, with neighbours growing concerned with the increase in traffic in the area
Papers also showed that 28 objections to Clarkson’s plans had already been submitted by local villagers. Pictured: Fans wait for around four hours to visit Diddly Squat Farm Shop in July
‘A restaurant inevitably will result in more cars and service vehicles, more noise and light and air pollution, more traffic hazards, and will disrupt the public highways adding a strain on council funds.’
Chadlington Parish Council has also responded to the application to raise a number of complaints.
A spokesperson said: ‘This planning application has proved to be extremely divisive within the village of Chadlington.
‘There are many who hold very real concerns regarding this proposal and wish to object. However, there are also those who support this planning application.’
Among those supportive of the project is Tim Catling of Banbury whose mother has lived in the village all her life.
He wrote: ‘I believe that lots of local businesses will benefit from the increased interest in the area due to Jeremy Clarkson’s input.
‘We have visitors to our campsite and pub rooms just so they can spend a day over in Chadlington and Soho Farmhouse.
‘I’m sure adults and teenagers will be employed in the restaurant and the building is far enough away from any residence so is unlikely to be a nuisance.’
West Oxfordshire District Council will make a final decision on the application at a later date.
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