Jeremy Clarkson’s plans to open a new 60-seater restaurant at his Diddly Squat Farm have hit a road block over fears that the land may be too toxic to build on.
The former Top Gear host, 61, had submitted a planning application to open a 70-space car park at a 60-seater café at his farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.
Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime has been so popular that there have been long queues at the Diddly Squat Farm Shop. This was after hundreds of Clarkson’s Farm fans began to line up outside his estate.
Clarkson’s plans to expand the farm have been put on hold. response to his application, from consultee ERS Pollution, said the land is a former quarry which might be ‘contaminated’.
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
It claimed that the proposed site had been used previously as a quarry and may contain ‘filled land’. A thorough investigation will be necessary before construction can take place.
According to the report, no development can be made until a desk investigation has been completed. If necessary, a site investigation of the extent and nature of contamination has been performed in accordance the methodology previously submitted and approved by the local planning authorities.
“The results from the site investigation shall not be released to the local planning authority prior to any development.”
According to the report, if there is’significant contamination’ in an investigation, a report detailing the steps that must be taken to make the site suitable for development will be submitted to the local planning authority.
It stated: “If any contamination is found during the development process that has not been identified by site investigation, additional measures to remediate this contamination shall be submitted and approved in writing at the local planning agency.”
The papers also showed that 28 objections had been filed by local villagers to Clarkson’s plans for building.
Clarkson’s plans for expanding his farm (pictured) were halted when a response to his application stated that the land was a former quarry and might be ‘contaminated.
Jeremy’s team informed West Oxfordshire District Council that Diddly Squat Farm faces an “acute reduction in Basic Payment Scheme”, a government subvention, which is currently being phased off.
It said the payments will reduce from £83,298 to £0 over the period 2020 to 2028, meaning the business may begin to struggle financially over time, explaining his desire to expand now.
It read: ‘It is reasonable for a farm business to investigate ways to replace this income with on farm diversification to create new income streams or expand existing enterprises.’
The application stated that Diddly Squat Farm received 85 percent of its profit from the government subsidy.
Clarkson will likely need to find land or create revenue streams on his own.
The road-block comes after Clarkson’s farm was granted ‘urgent’ planning permission to build cattle shed in time for his herd to calve in the New Year.
Documents indicate that the shed will be used to house Beef Shorthorn cattle during winter and calving.
They indicate that the request was made with urgency because the farm’s cattle were due to calve in January/February.
According to documents, 12 heifers are currently on the farm, 10 of which will calve in January 2022.
The documents stated that this was the base of the farm herd, which will grow with every calving cycle.
“The calves that will arrive January 2009 will be raised on the farm. The heifers will still be able to breed.
The building is a traditional design, with an open floor for easy cleaning and a light and airy area for livestock.
The Yorkshire boarding on the sides provides shelter and ventilation, while the open front allows natural sunlight into the space and frees up access for machinery and animals.
The site can be reached via the made track to Chipping Norton Road, which links with A361.
It claimed that the site was previously used as a pit, and may therefore contain ‘filled soil’. A thorough investigation will be necessary before construction can take place.
A spokesperson for West Oxfordshire District Council confirmed that the request was allowed.
He said that certain types are permitted to develop by national legislation and do not require a planning application.
“One condition that applies to certain types of permitted developments is the requirement to submit a request to the Local Planning Authority for its prior approval or to determine whether its prior approval will be necessary.
“This allows the Local Planning Authority the opportunity to examine the proposals and determine their likely impact on certain factors. The cattle shed can be built without the need for planning permission, provided it follows the plans.
Last month, Clarkson came face-to-face with angry villagers at a public meeting to answer concerns about his plans to develop his farm shop.
After hearing concerns about his highly popular farm shop, the controversial presenter called the meeting to order at the Memorial Hall in Chadlington (Oxfordshire).
Clarkson invited his neighbours to come to the village hall and discuss the farm shop. He also enjoyed cheese and wine.
Posters were placed around Chadlington that stated: ‘As there seems be some debate within the village about Diddly Squat’, Jeremy Clarkson is at the Memorial Hall for his plans and to answer any questions.
“Everybody in the area is welcome to attend. There will be cheese and wine.
Initially posted on the village Facebook page, one person suggested that it would be packed. Joking that Clarkson might need a bigger venue like the Royal Albert Hall, another person suggested that Clarkson might need a larger venue.
Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime is so popular that there are long lines at the Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Neighbors are becoming more concerned about the increased traffic to the area.
Since the launch of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime, fans from all over the country have been waiting for two-and-a half hours to enter the Diddly Squat shop. This has prompted some complaints from neighbors.
Police were even called out to manage traffic chaos in June, caused by hundreds of Jeremy Clarkson fans descending on his farm in the hope of meeting him and to check out his stock, which includes honey, chutney and T-shirts.
Villagers are divided about the impact of the shop’s opening, which occurred less than a year ago. Some say it has helped put Chadlington on map and boosted the local economic climate.
Mr Clarkson has now applied for planning permission to develop the site, despite existing concerns from neighbours about the popularity of the shop.
Chadlington Parish Council stated that it had no objections, but if approved, the application shouldn’t confirm a change in use status for this agricultural structure.
It pointed out that in November 2020, an application had been made to convert a lambing shed adjacent to the shop into a café and in February 2021 for a licence to sell alcohol and provide entertainment.
It stated that the parish council was concerned about the impact of incremental development at this site on the local community, existing shops, and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“The current number of cars visiting this site is already substantial, often overfilling the existing parking space and spilling onto the Chipping Norton Road. This is hardly desirable in AONBs and creates a significant danger that accidents will occur.
According to Rightmove, searches for Chadlington homes to purchase jumped by 511 percent in June 2021 compared to the same period of 2020.
The website indicated that viewers were captivated and interested in homes for sale in and near Clarkson’s Farm.
Also, papers showed that 28 objections had been filed by local villagers to Clarkson’s plans. Pictured: In July, Diddly Squat Farm Shop was open to fans for four hours.
Clarkson’s Farm: Jeremy works in his 1,000-acre plot of land between Chipping Norton & Chadlington in the idyllic Cotswolds country in Oxfordshire.
The former petrolhead seems to have settled down for a peaceful farming life as part of his hit Amazon Prime series.
However, the show’s roaring popularity and Clarkson opening Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop has caused chaos in villages that are more used to cows rather than congestion.
Clarkson stated that he could understand the concerns of farmers if a nuclear power plant was built, but not a small farm shop.
Clarkson’s Farm is the result of the broadcaster’s 2008 purchase of the plot of land. It follows Clarkson’s experiences with the 1,000-acre farm.
Recently, the presenter said that he was happiest in his life and that he loved every second of filming the new hit show.
His Diddly Squat Shop is described on its official website as a “small barn full of good and no-nonsense things”.
Amazon Prime This series is about the year of Britain’s most unusual farmer and his team. They deal with unresponsive crops, disobedient animals and an unexpected pandemic.
Amazon ordered a second season of Clarkson’s Farm in July 2021.