There was cause for celebration this week when the UK Government passed the new “Clarkson’s Clause”, meaning farmers should face less red tape on their own farms.
Inspired by Jeremy Clarkson’s battles with West Oxfordshire District Country, the clause means farmers have now been given the green light to convert disused agricultural buildings into homes and shops without planning permission.
The hope is that farmers will now be able to diversify their businesses more easily without having to jump through countless hoops.
Clarkson experienced a battle with his local authorities which perfectly summed up the rigmarole farmers face when he tried to open a restaurant at his Diddly Squat farm in Chipping Norton.
Documented through seasons two and three of the record-breaking Amazon Prime Video series, Clarkson’s fans learned that the restaurant didn’t survive more than a few weeks before it was served an enforcement notice.
But with the new change to the law coming into effect this week, fans were keen to hear from Clarkson himself as to whether it could breathe a new lease of life into his restaurant dream.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one Clarkson’s Farm put the question to the Grand Tour host directly.
“So if the #ClarksonClause has now come into effect, does that mean that @JeremyClarkson can reopen the restaurant?” one person penned.
“Annoyingly, we can’t,” the Clarkson’s Farm star bluntly replied.
Needless to say, the update didn’t go down well with fans who were quick to brand the decision a “shame” while others replied: “I’m sorry to hear that.”
The changes to law were implemented on Tuesday this week with farming minister Mark Spencer saying at the time: “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.”
Meanwhile, planning minister Lee Rowley 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.”
While Clarkson may not be looking to reopen the doors of his restaurant any time soon, he was able to celebrate his “biggest f*** you” to the council during season three of Clarkson’s Farm.
