Jeremy Clarkson has been given the green light to expand his Diddly Squat Farm after a series of planning disputes. The 64 year old Top Gear presenter had expressed an “urgent need” for expansion in his latest planning application, proposing a new 36m-long (118ft) agricultural building for crop storage at his Oxfordshire site.
However, the journey hasn’t been smooth sailing for the TV star, who’s been tangled up in a lengthy dispute with West Oxfordshire District Council over the site. While his proposals for a 70-space car park and a restaurant were both turned down, the council’s planning committee have finally given him the thumbs up on his latest venture.
The approval letter states that the plans to develop Diddly Squat Farm “did not require prior approval” by the council as long as it is carried out in accordance with the submitted plans. It read: “Proposal for a new building described as an agricultural grain store planned to be 18 metres in length.
“The proposed building is necessary to support farming operations at Curdle Hill Farm to ensure a viable farm business and a more environmentally sustainable operation. It meets all criteria of the permitted development right in terms of position, dimensions and proposed use.”, reports the Express.
In his new application, the plans highlighted that the farm has an “urgent need for additional storage” and the lack of a barn was affecting produce prices.
“In simple terms, they can only take the price on offer when the crop is taken, rather than wait and sell when the price is favourable.”
The statement continued: “The current grain store is not of an appropriate design for its purpose and in any case is too small to support the farm’s arable operations which produces up to six different crops, with four main crop.”
The application also reassured that the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be preserved, stating “the applicant is eager to work sensitively within it”.
Jeremy Clarkson reveals when to expect series 4 of Clarkson’s Farm
Jeremy Clarkson has hinted when fans can expect to see the fourth series of hit show Clarkson’s Farm.
The show, which started in 2021 following Mr Clarkson’s attempts to manage 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm at Chadlington, remains a huge hit.
The show has made stars of farm manager Kaleb Cooper, land agent Charlie Ireland, ‘head of security’ Gerald Cooper, and Mr Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan.
Season 3 remains in Prime Video’s top 10 programmes more than three months since its release in early May.
In a new interview with Times Radio presenter Cathy Newman, Mr Clarkson who opened his new pub The Farmer’s Dog near Burford last weekend, revealed it might be a long wait.
Jeremy Clarkson opened his new pub The Farmer’s Dog near Burford last weekend (Image: SWNS)
He said: “We’re likely to wrap up filming for season 4 in a couple of weeks. After editing and translating, it should be out around May.”
And he seemed to confirm the rumours of a further series after that, adding: “Then, we’ll kick off filming for season 5 shortly after.”
Mr Clarkson has previously ramped up expectations that there will be a season five by sharing an image of the producer Andy Wilman with his two dogs – named after Game of Thrones’ Sansa and Arya Stark – saying they were “pleading” to appear in the next series.
Prime Video itself is yet to officially confirm whether Clarkson’s Farm will be back for season 5.
Meanwhile Mr Wilman has had said that neither he nor Mr Clarkson were afraid to bring Clarkson’s Farm to an end if it no longer felt genuine or organic.
‘I’ve got no feelings on whether there’s a five or not. Jeremy’s the same. He’s like: ‘When we’ve got nothing left to say, let’s walk away’,’ he told Deadline
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