West Oxfordshire District Council has rejected Jeremy Clarkson's planning application to add 70 parking spaces and a café at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop, arguing that visitors are drawn by his fame rather than the quality of goods. The council stated that customers 'have passed farm shops with a wider variety of better quality, better value items.'
Clarkson, 62, has launched an appeal against the decision, insisting that on-site parking and lavatories are essential to prevent customers from parking on the main road. At the appeal hearing, he also criticised the council for blocking the sale of his book, 'Diddly Squat: A Year on the Farm,' claiming it was written at his kitchen table and thus locally produced.
The council contends that Clarkson breached planning conditions by changing the land use from a farm shop to a 'tourist attraction,' with parking for up to 200 vehicles. It said the volume of visitors 'exceeds what would arise from a bona fide farm shop,' harming the area's natural beauty.
Clarkson's girlfriend, Lisa Bentick, who co-runs the farm, defended the shop, stating it has helped local producers survive economic hardship. Despite the ongoing row, the farm's assets have grown to £1.34 million with 17 employees, up from £44,000 and six staff in 2021.
