Planning rules waived for farm shops under ‘Clarkson clause’

Farmers are now allowed to convert disused agricultural buildings into homes and shops without planning permission under a new “Clarkson’s clause”.

The Government has cut red tape to allow farmers to more easily diversify their businesses by putting old buildings to new uses.

The reforms are inspired by Jeremy Clarkson’s battles with West Oxfordshire District Council, as featured on his Amazon Prime television show.

In Clarkson’s Farm, the former Top Gear presenter struggles against local government bureaucracy as he attempts to convert disused outbuildings on his 1,000-acre Cotswolds farm into a restaurant and shop.

The Government has on Tuesday extended permitted development rights to allow farmers to convert unused agricultural buildings for commercial uses.

Mark Spencer, the farming minister, said the move would cut “needless bureaucracy” and make diversification easier.

“I am extremely pleased to support our farmers and provide them the freedom to decide the best uses for buildings on their land, without needless bureaucracy holding them back,” he said.

In Clarkson’s Farm, Clarkson is shown being forced to close a restaurant on his Diddly Squat farm that he had converted from a former lambing shed.

The local council ordered the restaurant to be closed in August 2022 after it rejected two planning applications.

Clarkson’s farm shop, which occupies a former barn, remains open and is a popular tourist attraction, selling a range of local produce and memorabilia.

The Government’s new rule changes also mean that farmers will now be able to convert a building into as many as 10 homes, double the previous limit of five.

Land can also now be converted into training centres and outdoor sporting facilities without the need to spend time and money on a planning application.

Lee Rowley, the planning minister, said: “Farmers are the lifeblood of communities, and these changes give them the freedom to grow their businesses and plan for their futures.

“This is all part of our long-term plan for housing to deliver more homes for rural communities and reform the planning system, removing unnecessary barriers to development.”

Clarkson’s television programme has shone a light on the issues faced by farmers when applying for planning permission and attracted support from the Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak vowed at the National Farmers’ Union conference in February to “change the culture in government around farming”, adding: “I have your back.”

Last week, he announced a number of policies to strengthen the agricultural industry, including doubling the funding for horticultural businesses to £80 million.

Mr Sunak also vowed to cut red tape that inhibits the building of glasshouses and invest £15 million in more resilient crop varieties.