More than 140,000 people have signed a petition in protest against a "planning injustice" some believe Jeremy Clarkson has suffered at his Oxfordshire farm. The TV presenter has taken control of Diddly Squat Farm in recent years, and has had his experiences in agriculture documented in the Amazon Prime show, Clarkson's Farm.
The second series of the show has been a hit with millions, with a particular focus on Jeremy's attempts to open a restaurant. Clarkson and his team made no secret of their disdain with West Oxfordshire District Council for allegedly hindering their attempts to open a restaurant on the farm, which would serve local produce.
Additionally, attempts to get permission to build a new park area and farm track were denied, with plenty, including Clarkson and a legion of viewers, thinking the local council were making an example out of him, Oxfordshire Live reports. Ultimately, he managed to find a loophole in planning that enabled his restaurant to open fleetingly.
Plans were initially refused by the council to extend the farm shop car park and to stop trading in his restaurant, with the justification being that the company "continued to operate outside the planning permissions granted", and that "advice has been ignored". The farm, in Chipping Norton, had been visited by thousands since the show launched, which has caused traffic issues and local residents to complain.
A hearing for the former Top Gear host to appeal the decision is scheduled for March 14. In the immediate, a petition has been launched to oppose the council's decisions.
The petition reads: "It is clear that West Oxfordshire District council are not supporting Diddly Squat Farm becoming a successful local business by making planning decision based on bias towards Jeremy Clarkson. Jeremy Clarkson has championed farming and shown that it is a struggle for farmers to make a living by feeding us.
"He should be supported and encouraged to grow his business creating local jobs and continuing on his path to run a farm which is sustainable both economically and environmentally. Please show your support not only for Diddly Squat but for all farmers held back by local councils who do not understand what being a farmer is all about."
The petition has currently amassed 148,000 signatures on the way to its next target of 150,000. Several people have left comments on the petition with some suggesting the the council are "against the man and not his plans".
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