After months of fighting, Jeremy Clarkson’s £69-a-head restaurant launched owing to a ‘delightful little loophole’
Clarkson’s Farm star’s proposed ‘Diddly Squat’ restaurant in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, was blocked by neighbours and the planning department.
The former Top Gear host startled viewers last month when he said he had unearthed a ‘delightful little loophole’
Mr Clarkson told reporters last month, “We identified a sneaky little loophole. It’s a weight off my shoulders and appeals to my anti-establishment inclination.”
After councillors rejected the restaurant’s original planning proposal in January, West Oxfordshire District Council is investigating.
One council insider told MailOnline: ‘The council believes everyone should follow the same planning standards.’
We’ll treat Clarkson like any other West Oxfordshire citizen.
Mr. Clarkson may have changed his barn utilising a Class R allowed development provision, which permits agricultural buildings to be modified without municipal approval.
Class R allows agricultural buildings to be converted into commercial stores, restaurants, or cafes up to 500sqm.
Mr. Clarkson told reporters in July, ‘You may write to your council to change a barn’s purpose. Allowable development… We have a barn that meets all requirements.’
Top Gear star fought with West Oxfordshire District Council officials in January over his restaurant proposal.
Before leaving the council building, he remarked a planning official who recommended rejection looked like Eric Morecambe.
Seven of 10 WODC uplands area planning councillors voted against the restaurant proposals.
Mr. Clarkson inaugurated his ‘Diddly Squat’ eatery this month, where guests will be videotaped for the second season of Clarkson’s Farm.
West Oxon District Council was aware of Diddly Squat Farm’s restaurant launching.
As part of our usual practise, we checked the operation’s compliance with local and national planning legislation and policy, licencing, and food hygiene laws.
We can’t discuss current investigations.
Clarkson’s Restaurant is bookable at his Oxfordshire farmshop.
Locally produced items include sticky beef croquettes with aioli and pickled chilli and roasted beef topside with veggies.
Before reserving Diddly Squat, realise it’s tiny, largely outdoors, and primitive.
‘Ordering a beverage or using the restroom isn’t as straightforward as at a bar, and we don’t pander to faddists.
‘We’ve done our best, but this is England.
‘The vista is huge, and practically everything you eat was produced or raised on our farm, so it’s fresh with low food miles.
We offer what’s available that day; there’s no menu.
Your table will be served appetisers, starters, a roast, and dessert.
‘Our bread cooked with Hawkstone beer is amazing.
We have a VIP suite in a shepherd’s hut. This seats four (barely), but it’s dry and cosy.’
Jeremy works on his 1,000-acre farm between Chipping Norton and Chadlington in Oxfordshire’s Cotswolds.
In his new Amazon Prime series, the former petrol-head farms.
The show’s popularity and the establishment of Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop caused turmoil for residents used to cows and not traffic.
Locals have complained that the former Top Gear co-farm host’s store clogs rural roads.