TALK OF The TOWN: Jeremy Clarkson continues to work with his farm restaurant despite the uproar from locals










While locals were beginning to doubt that Jeremy Clarkson can cause any more havoc in the Cotswolds’ sleepy corners, Clarkson has received a major boost for his plans to create a 60-seat restaurant at his Diddly Squat farm.

The Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, chronicling the presenter’s first year on his 1,000-acre plot during the pandemic, was a heart-warming success among viewers – but not among his neighbours.

Clarkson has opened Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington, to sell his produce. Locals are furious about the traffic jams that have brought Chadlington’s country roads to a halt as his fans flood the shops to buy his meat, honey, and veg. 

Many see his latest plan – to convert a lambing shed into a restaurant with 70-space car park and an overflow in an adjoining field – as a step too far.

But the 61-year-old star is celebrating after two of his biggest objectors – the council and the police – both backed down last week, clearing the way for approval.

Oxfordshire County Council, after Clarkson had a go at the site’s layout, said that they now have no objections. They also believe the restaurant won’t cause any traffic disruptions. 

Since Clarkson opened Diddly Squat Farm Shop to sell his produce, locals have been furious at the huge traffic jams bringing the country lanes around Chadlington to a standstill as fans flock to snap up his meat, milk, veg, honey and beer

Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop was opened to market his produce. Since then, Chadlington has been enraged by the massive traffic jams, which have brought the country roads around Chadlington virtually to a halt, as Clarkson fans flock to purchase his meats, honey, and other veg.

The 61-year-old star is celebrating after two of his biggest objectors – the council and the police – both backed down last week, clearing the way for approval (pictured with fans at his farm)

The 61-year-old star is celebrating after two of his biggest objectors – the council and the police – both backed down last week, clearing the way for approval (pictured with fans at his farm)

Fans of Clarkson queue up for around four hours to visit his farm shop

Clarkson’s fans queue for approximately four hours just to get into his farm shop 

Thames Valley Police stated that it was pleased to observe improvements in the accessibility, bike parking and bin storage areas.

However, locals are outraged. Carole Shadbolt said that the entrance had become a black spot in the community.

“The parking lot becomes an avalanche of rainwater, and visitors don’t like to go over it. Instead, they choose to park at the edge.

“You will then see cars running along the street, some of them excited, others not paying much attention. They run over, giving the finger and making a scene with the locals.

The farm shop will close for the filming of Clarkson’s Farm’s second series, but it will provide some relief.

Jeremy seems to have no choice but to continue his journey towards becoming a farmer. 

Jack and the lad 

He had promised his godchildren freebies from his latest film instead of buying them Christmas presents – and Jack Whitehall was true to his word.

Jack Whitehall appearing to feed a cuddly toy version of Clifford to one of his four godchildren

Jack Whitehall appears to give Clifford a cuddly, toy version to one his godchildren

The comic, who is 33 years old and appeared in Clifford The Big Red Dog as a family film, used his star power to get a bunch of merchandise for the children.

The cute Instagram snap shows Clifford feeding Clifford a cuddly, toy Clifford.

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