What Is the Real Story Behind Jeremy Clarkson’s Explosive Feud With His Local Council?

What’s more British than a countryside farm, a pint at the local pub, and—naturally—a full-blown feud with the council over planning permission? Only Jeremy Clarkson could turn a simple quest to open a farm shop or pour a lager into a multi-season epic of gate-keeping, bureaucratic ballet, and public statements that leave everyone scratching their heads . Honestly, is there a niche hobby or business idea the Top Gear alum can pursue without a council meeting turning into his own personal episode of Game of Thrones? Season four of Clarkson’s Farm promises all the awkward Zoom calls, dashed dreams, and nemesis encounters you can handle . Just when you think the man might outsmart the planning department, he finds himself right back where he started—face-to-face with the same old council expert and a stack of paperwork higher than a hay bale . If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to invest your soul (and about a million quid) into a rural venture, only to be outwitted by zoning laws, you’re absolutely in the right place . Think it’s all over? Not by a long shot . Pour a drink, settle in, and prepare to witness bureaucracy at its British best—Clarkson style . LEARN MORE

Clarkson’s Farm has at numerous points featured Jeremy Clarkson going to war against local councils due to issues surrounding planning permission.

Whether this be in setting up a restaurant or a farm shop, the former Top Gear host has been engaged in a heated feud with the local council for the last few seasons.

This included West Oxfordshire District Council having to release multiple statements, including one in which they accused the TV show of misleading viewers about a planning meeting.

In the newest season Clarkson’s focus turns to a new venture: opening a pub.

Based on the first couple of episodes of the show, you would assume that his feud with West Oxfordshire District Council was over due to him purposely looking for pubs that did not fall within their boundary.

This did not end up being entirely the case in Clarkson’s Farm season four.

Clarkson’s continued feud with local councils

The presenter’s ongoing feud continues in the new season when planning is refused (Prime Video)

Clarkson’s feud with local councils continues in the new season on two fronts.

His first attempt to purchase a pub leads to him having to go through Gloucestershire County Council and Cotswold District Council to discuss how to best manage potential issues that may be caused to traffic due to interest in the pub.

Whilst his meeting with the County Council is successful, his district council meeting does not go to plan, leaving Clarkson with his head in his hands.

Clarkson has had a few run-ins with the council during his show (Prime Video)

The presenter explained that, despite their attempts to avoid West Oxfordshire District Council, when he got on zoom he was met with the exact same planning expert, Phillip Shaw, who Clarkson described as his ‘nemesis’.

Ultimately, the group were forced to abandon the plan for their original pub purchase due to issues it would cause with local residents.

What has the council involved said about their ongoing feud with Clarkson?

The local council rejected planning permission to set up a restaurant at his shop (Prime Video)

Whilst Shaw himself has not issued a statement about the issues from seasons two and three between the council and Clarkson’s Farm, West Oxfordshire District Council have.

Following season two they issued a statement, which can be read in full here, in which they claim information was omitted which made it appear as if they had a ‘vendetta’ against Jeremy Clarkson.

They again issued a statement after season three in which they denied treating the farm unfairly, finishing by saying: “We will continue to treat Diddly Squat Farm fairly and we will be happy to work with Diddly Squat on any future plans. Our door has always been open and will remain open should they choose to work with us.”

How have fans responded to the renewed issues with the council in Clarkson’s Farm season four?

One Reddit post about the topic said that one viewer’s heart was ‘breaking’ due to the local councils treatment in the show.

They said: “I simply can not get over the local councils. Jeremy is going out, trying to invest something in the order of a million pounds of his own money to open up a pub/shop that will provide jobs and income to the area AND give the local farmers a way to sell their produce at a good price… and the councils just keep shutting him down!

“Not only that you can literally guarantee that the place will be swamped with customers… and the council doesn’t want this.”

Whilst others in the comments pointed out that being ‘swamped with customers’ is exactly what they’re trying to avoid, others chimed in to agree with the original posters disdain for the local councils in season four.

One comment said: “It blew my mind that they’d rather let a listed building go to ruin than have it be a successful business for the first time this century that’d bring business to neighbouring businesses.”

Clarkson’s Farm season four’s first four episodes are available to watch now on Prime Video.