Jeremy Clarkson has faced yet another blow to his plans for an extension on his Diddly Squat Farm Shop where he films his Amazon Prime Video show Clarkson's Farm.
The former Top Gear presenter has had his latest plan to extend his shop's car park from ten to 70 spaces has been refused by councillors on the grounds that it would be a 'visually intrusive and harmful impact' on the surrounding countryside.
Clarkson, 62, was met with approximately 30 objection comments from nearby neighbours who were concerned that the extension could lead to traffic chaos around the Oxford village of Chadlington.
Despite the objection from several of his neighbours an equal number were in support of The Grand Tour presenter's application before it was refused on Friday 6 May.
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The council's development manager Abbey Fettes explained the decision for refusal, she said: "By reason of its location, size and design the proposed development would not be sustainable and would not be compatible or consistent in scale with the existing farming business or its open countryside location.
"[It] would have a visually intrusive and harmful impact on the rural character, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Wychwood Project Area."
The setback for Clarkson is the second application he has had refused by the council this year, he had also planned on converting his lambing shed into a café with car park spaces but this was also rejected in January.
Clarkson's hit Amazon Prime TV show, which first aired last June, has seen the location of his Diddly Squat Farm become a popular spot and the presenter outlined in his application for the car park extension that the extra spaces were needed to meet the demand of visitors.
Some locals have come out in support for the extension to prevent visitors from parking elsewhere on streets around the village as the spaces at Clarkson's farm shop fill quickly.
Others, however, have called Clarskon out for what they believe is him trying to create ‘a major tourist attraction’ in the rural Oxfordshire village.
The Daily Mail reported that one resident, Nigel Winser, from the peaceful Oxford village wrote in their letter of objection: "If the Farm Shop was loyal to selling local farm produce, the small car park is appropriate.
"Alas the shop is already selling souvenirs, that attract large number of buyers from all corners of the UK.
"This trend will continue to grow year on year, with increasing number of national and international buyers. Good for tourism, but not for sustainable farming in a beautiful area of national importance, for nature.
"Permission for this car park, will be the thin end of wedge, known as “planning creep”.
"Visitor numbers will grow, a large restaurant will be established, high lighting will have to be added and before long, this will become a major UK visitor attraction, bringing increased road safety and environmental risks to the whole valley."
The presenter's plans proposed the creation of a new parking area marked out by straw bales that would also be obscured from view by native hedgerow species and a fenced paddock.
The parish council, who objected to Clarkson's proposal, said that the increased parking spaces ''would remove some, but not all, vehicles from the road given the visitor numbers experienced, and would not reduce the current number of vehicle movements in the area which is a safety concern'.
Another resident of the village which is home to Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm, Michael Cooper, claimed in his comments on the plans that: "The planned entrance and exit will not necessarily improve road safety and traffic flow. With an extra 'pinch point' and being so close together there is the potential for additional issues and accidents."
Jeremy made the move to Amazon Prime Video following being dropped from the BBC show Top Gear after an incident involving an "unprovoked physical attack" on a producer from the hit car show he presented alongside Richard Hammond and James May.
Jeremy's other show Clarkson's Farm follows his journey in learning how to run a farm with no prior experience and has been a big hit for the former Top Gear presenter.
The show has been confirmed for a second series but the release date is yet to be announced as fans wait with baited breath for the updates from Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm.
Do you think Jeremy Clarkson is in the right in extending his Oxfordshire based Diddly Squat Farm? Comment your thoughts below.
