JEREMY Clarkson has been given permission to build a lambing shed and farm shop on his Oxfordshire estate. 

The television star, of Top Gear fame, has gained planning approval from West Oxfordshire District Council to build at his Diddly Squat Farm near Chadlington.

The presenter's new project was met with some objection by villagers earlier this year, who feared it could deter trade from local businesses. 

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Planners approved the scheme on Tuesday, however, also giving the go-ahead for a 10-space car park, associated landscaping and 'occasional film-making'.

A condition of the farm shop approval was that it can only sell produce grown on site or from local West Oxfordshire producers.

Chadlington Parish Council said it had no objection to the proposal, but added in its formal consultation response: "[This is] as long as filming is for farming activities only and local produce only is sold.

"There are concerns that the current access gate is not owned by Diddly Squat Farm and the proposed access point off Chipping Norton Road is in very close proximity to the Caravan site and two bus stops.

"This could cause potential traffic hazard. Re-siting for new access may need to be considered."

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The site is off Chipping Norton Road, near The Beeches camping and caravan site. 

Diddly Squat Farm covers about 350 hectares of agricultural land to the north-west of Chadlington, including woodland, arable land, and farm buildings.

The section where the farm shop and lambing shed would sit covers about 0.27 hectares, on a small corner of a large field.

Planning documents said the land is not currently used for crops due to 'poor productivity'.

They added: "The owner of the farm may film the construction and future operation of the lambing shed and farm shop for a television programme.

"This programme is yet to be commissioned and, therefore, may never come about.

"The buildings will be constructed regardless of whether filming takes place."

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William Barton, business development officer at West Oxfordshire District Council, said in an email that he supported the proposal 'in its entirety'.

The email, published on the council's website, said: "Like all farms, the business is heavily reliant on the EU Basic Payment Scheme and has to plan ahead, based on Government advice that this subsidy will reduce to zero by 2028.

"It is therefore completely appropriate for the business to look at diversification by increasing the range of produce and adding value to main crops such as flour from the wheat and oil from the oilseed rape.

"I am clear that the lambing shed and farm shop are important investments."

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A planning expert, representing Mr Clarkson, wrote to the council stating: "The business case for needing the new buildings is that there are currently grass fields which are used for hay making, but a new sheep enterprise would improve the wider farming business and utilise the grass crop.

"As this is a new enterprise, the housing (lambing shed) is needed for welfare purposes.

"The farm shop will provide a local outlet for farm produce, a diversification of the farming business.

"While the location may on first inspection appear to be isolated, it is actually one of the few locations on the farm with a good road frontage, nearby bus stops, a potential source of customers in the form of the campsite visitors, and a good location relative to the A361 Burford Road for passing traffic."

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Conditions for the build include that it must provide proper access routes, a surfaced car park and an agreement not to film for more than nine months in a 27-month period.

Mr Clarkson, 59, is currently making a farming show for Amazon Prime.

A statement from Chadlington Parish Council, submitted in September, said it has no objection as long as filming is for farming activities only and local produce only is sold.

Mr Clarkson had to pay an application fee of £482 to submit the plans. To view them in detail, search the council's planning portal for 19/02110/FUL. 

Planning permission had already been granted in 2010 (renewed in 2013) to build a new dwelling, outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts on the site, and convert unused barns into a self-contained residential unit.

An updated application was approved last month, which proposed building a single-storey extension would provide a place for a store and plant room.