Jeremy Clarkson's beloved Diddly Squat farm shop has been thrust into another bitter planning dispute, with local authorities forcing its immediate closure. The West Oxfordshire District Council has shut down the popular retail outlet, dealing a significant blow to the Grand Tour presenter's agricultural ambitions.
The council's enforcement action centres on ongoing issues with customer parking and traffic congestion on the narrow country lanes surrounding the Chadlington farm. Officials claim the shop's operation exceeds the scope of its original planning permissions, creating unacceptable disruption for local residents.
This development marks the latest chapter in Clarkson's well-documented struggles with planning authorities. The television personality-turned-farmer has frequently clashed with council planners over his various ventures at the 1,000-acre Oxfordshire property, which gained fame through the hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm.
The closure comes at a particularly inopportune time for the farming enterprise, with the shop serving as a crucial revenue stream for the struggling farm business. Thousands of visitors regularly flock to the rural site, drawn by the show's popularity and Clarkson's celebrity status.
Local reaction appears divided between supporters who appreciate the economic benefits the shop brings to the area and residents frustrated by the constant stream of visitors and associated traffic problems. The council maintains that its decision represents a necessary intervention to address legitimate planning concerns.
Fans of the show and regular customers have expressed disappointment at the closure, taking to social media to voice their support for Clarkson's farming efforts. Many see the council's action as another example of bureaucratic obstruction hindering British agriculture.
The future of Diddly Squat farm shop now hangs in the balance as Clarkson and his team consider their options. Another planning appeal appears likely, potentially setting the stage for yet another very public planning battle in the Oxfordshire countryside.
