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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Molly Pike

Jeremy Clarkson's neighbours say he's fame-hungry and exploiting planning laws in farm row

Jeremy Clarkson's neighbours have accused him of being fame-hungry and exploiting planning laws.

Locals who live near the former Top Gear host's Diddly Squat Farm have made 10 complaints to the council.

Clarkson, 61, has applied to alter the external doors on the farm shop, situated in the Cotswold village of Chadlington.

His farm shop has been swamped with visitors after the huge popularity of his Amazon TV show Clarkson's Farm.

The complaints come after Clarkson revealed that the series had been cancelled.

Locals are up in arms at the proposals to change the shop and say they must be refused after the swathes of visitors causes chaos on the roads.

Since the shop opened, his neighbours have had to endure two-hour traffic jams as fans drive to visit the farm.

Among the complaints, local Dr Nina Morgan described the planning application as "the latest in a series of what is clearly a step-by-step strategy to exploit planning loopholes in order for the applicant to gain publicity for his media career. It should be refused."

Mrs M J Bell said the proposed new roller doors should be refused, arguing: "There is ample evidence that the applicant has not adhered to the original conditions under which permission for the shop was given.

"For example, it does not sell local produce produced on the 'farm' since the farm (and particularly the so-called 'farmer') does not produce any."

Chadlington parish councillor Hilary Moore said the congestion on the roads had become "ridiculous".

She said: "When an application was submitted you were made well aware of how unsuitable the site was, now our roads are clogged with traffic and the whole area is becoming a danger zone with fast cars showing off their speed on narrow lanes, traffic queuing for a miles or so, blocking roads and compromising access for emergency vehicles.

The shop has attracted swathes of visitors (PA)

"The farm shop should be closed down immediately and no more permission granted to further developments."

Hamish Dewar also objected to Clarkson changing the use of the shop, which previously sold only farm produce but has since expanded, and also flagged that the change could adversely affect wildlife.

He said: "The change cannot be justified as being advantageous to the building's potential other uses, when no permission has been granted, or requested, as yet, for change of use.

"This is clearly part of the applicant's repeated intention to use the buildings as an all day, late night cafe and bar and to wilfully ignore and abuse the planning process."

A supporting letter for the planning application, written by JPPC chartered town planners, said they are only applying for permission to appease neighbours.

It says: "We are aware of the level of public interest in the site and thus have made an application in order that the Council and neighbours are fully appraised of the intended works ahead of their execution."

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