Hordes of fans have descended on Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, with long queues forming outside the farm shop during the school holidays.
Cars filled surrounding fields, with visitors preparing for a day out. One queue stretched across the car park and into a neighboring field, with some visitors seen sitting on the ground with pets while waiting. The influx of visitors comes amid an ongoing planning dispute between Clarkson and West Oxfordshire District Council.
Clarkson's team has applied to extend the permission for a temporary car park until December 31, 2030. Initial permission for the car park, granted on appeal in June 2023 to manage customer influx, was set to expire in June of this year. The application for the extension is currently under consideration.
While the Planning Inspectorate initially approved the car park extension, plans for a permanent restaurant were refused. Clarkson's representatives have argued that the original conditions need amendment due to the ongoing success of his television series, 'Clarkson's Farm.' They noted that series six has been commissioned and is scheduled to air in the summer of 2027, indicating the need for continued monitoring and review of the impact on the surrounding area for three additional years.
Following the opening of the temporary car park on agricultural land in August 2023, Diddly Squat Farm experienced two-hour waiting times. At the time, Clarkson was seen overseeing the car park's construction. As the summer holidays intensified, the existing parking proved insufficient, leading staff to open an additional field capable of accommodating 100 cars.
Reports also indicate Clarkson has been applying for trademarks to expand his business ventures, with anticipated new product lines including clothing and homeware. His Hawkstone Brewery has also reportedly filed applications for new drinks.