Furious Cotswolds locals demand action after Clarkson’s Farm fans spark complaints
They're campaigning for changes.
Fans visiting Clarkson’s Farm have sparked complaints from locals over traffic on nearby roads.
Jeremy Clarkson opened his The Farmer’s Dog pub in August last year, attracting even more visitors to his Oxfordshire site following the success of his Diddly Squat farm shop.
The Grand Tour presenter, 64, faced ‘massive struggles’ ahead of its launch, and splurged a reported £1,000,000 on the venue, which is now causing problems with locals.
It’s been claimed locals in surrounding Cotswolds villages are raging over traffic running through narrow roads to reach the farm shop and pub.
The Farmer’s Dog now even has a warning on its site, saying: ‘If you’re travelling to The Farmer’s Dog, especially from Diddly Squat Farm Shop, please use the main roads.
‘If you try to use the single-track cross-country route, I guarantee it will be slower because you’ll spend half your time backing up and looking for a passing place.’
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Previous Page Next Page‘They said in a statement in August: ‘Consideration is being given to a reduction in the speed limit from the existing 60mph, to 40mph to improve safety on each of the approaches to the A40 roundabout, including that of the B4047,’ they added in the statement in August.
Clarkson also thanked Oxfordshire County Council for ‘all their help’ ahead of the opening.
The presenter purchased the farm in 2008 and began running it himself in 2019, filming the process for Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm.
Over the years, he’s faced several issues, with outrage over parking and various rejected planning proposals from West Oxfordshire District Council.
He found himself embroiled in a row over his plans to allow greater visitor access to his farm and its attached shop.
Clarkson has documented his experience on the farm in Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm (Picture: Amazon/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)The TV star wanted to extend the car park on his Oxfordshire farm plot to accommodate 70 vehicles, but the proposals were originally opposed by West Oxfordshire District Council.
He also found himself in hot water with his local authority over a restaurant on his farm, with the council shutting it down after it was allegedly opened without planning permission.
Late last year, the former Top Gear presenter admitted he’s suffering a ‘total disaster’ at the pub and struggling to make profits.
Writing in his column in The Times, he said: ‘It’s galling to see how much effort is required to make so little money on the farm.
‘It’s worse at the pub. The customers are coming. There’s no problem there. But turning their visits into a profit is nigh-on impossible.’
Metro has approached Google, local councils and the parish council for comment.
Clarkson’s Farm is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
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