Jeremy Clarkson refused permission to expand carpark at Diddly Squat Farm Shop

Jeremy Clarkson has been denied his application to expand the carpark at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop, on the grounds it would damage the 'natural beauty' of the area.

The 62-year-old former Top Gear presenter has been overrun with visitors to the shop in Chadlington, Oxfordshire since making it the star of his Amazon Prime show Clarkson's Farm.

Clarkson has been denied permission to extend the onsite parking from 10 spaces to 70 spaces by the local district council planning authority.

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They ruled his proposals to turn a neighbouring field into a large carpark would have a: "Visually intrusive and harmful impact on the rural character, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

The Grand Tour presenter last month shared evidence of support he had received from local residents towards his planning application on Twitter.

Clarkson posted a screenshot showing nine Support Comments and one Objection to his carpark proposals and said: "This is how opposed the local village is to plans for a small car park at our little farm shop."

Last year the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host held a meeting for local residents – serving wine and cheese – at the village's Memorial Hall to explain his plans to manage the popularity of the farm with visitors.

The TV star bought the country estate in Chadlington, Oxfordshire in 2008 and since opening his Diddly Squat Farm Shop in 2020, it has been overrun with fans.

Clarkson told worried locals: "You have my complete sympathy. I am just as keen as you are to try to manage the situation.

"I have people peeing on my drive. Look, I hope that now the school holidays are over and the pandemic is, hopefully, easing, there will be less.”

He also admitted he had been overwhelmed by the volume of visitors to the area, but insisted he would continue with plans to run the farm as a profitable business.

He said: "We were overwhelmed by what happened after the show launched. We had no idea of the impact it would have. Now we can stop and think about how we can continue to employ 15 people on the farm and making it grow while not spoiling anyone's life in the village."

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Clarkson had been reported to be planning an 150-seat cafe on the site, serving food produced on the farm.

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