Jeremy Clarkson’s war with council over Diddly Squat Farm rages on as locals turn against ex-Top Gear presenter

The Grand Tour star has already suffered setbacks on opening a restaurant, building a pickle ball court and even laying out a simple farm track to a converted barn.

West Oxfordshire District Council has rejected the sugestion that it has a “personal vendetta” against the celebrity-turned-farmer.

Residents in the Cotswolds village of Chadlington do not appear to wholeheartedly support Clarkson.

One told The Daily Mail: “Clarkson is just an abuser of planning laws.

“His farm is in an outstanding area of natural beauty and he must know there are strict planning laws, but he still puts them in just the same.

“It makes for good television, but they have no merit.”

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Another said: “It is only there to make money and to promote his show.

“I don’t think anyone in the village has much sympathy for him, and they feel he has not brought anything to the area.”

A third argued: “He is not a stupid man so who would apply to build a 70-seater restaurant in what is a protected area. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Councillor Dean Temple, a member of the local council, revealed Clarkson’s applications fail because part of them cover an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

However, supporters of the former Top Gear star have voiced support for his endeavours.

One said: “There has to be a balance between what he is doing and the community, but he is trying to make a venture here.”

Another claimed: “I do think they are picking on him. He is doing a good job and just wants to make the best of it.”

A third added: “He has done so much for farmers and farming.”