Diddly Squat staff forced to wear body cams to ward off abuse from locals

According to media reports, 16-year-old workers at Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, have been given body cams as a precautionary measure after being targeted by cross villagers.

Mr Clarkson, who opened Diddly Squat Farm Shop in 2020 as a means of diversification, has been caught up in a row with the local council and residents over plans to expand the car park to accommodate 70 vehicles, for which permission has been repeatedly denied.

Villagers and council members have reportedly been concerned that more visitors to Clarkson’s shop would disturb the tranquillity of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and cause further traffic disruptions.

At a two-day council hearing earlier this week where planning inspectors considered Clarkson’s plans, Chadlington resident Hilary Moore called visitors to the farm “motorheads” who drive slowly on surrounding roads to attract attention.

In response, Annabel Gray, who works on a catering trailer at Diddly Squat, pointed out the description was “unfair” as she had seen locals driving slowly too. Highlighting the lifeline Clarkson’s farm could offer local businesses, she was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying:

‘Diddly Squat has an important opportunity to educate people about local farming and I find it really frustrating that the council is overlooking that.

‘There are few places about where you can experience where we get food from.

‘This is a massive, massive opportunity for WODC [West Oxfordshire District Council]. I am begging you that this is something that can be improved on rather than turn your back on.’

Echoing her words, Henry Lawrence, owner of local business Hook Norton Butchers, said Clarkson’s farm shop could be “the crown jewel” of sustainable farming, adding his business has grown “dramatically” since becoming a supplier of the shop.

Responding to the council’s treatment of the former Top Gear presenter in season two of Clarkson’s Farm, Farmers Guide reader Pat Flower said:

“I genuinely feel for Jeremy in his battles, estimated costs of £500,000 for an appeal, no permission to have a decent car park yet the council can visually blight the AONB with thousands of cones to stop parking! Change the roof from normal agricultural-style cladding to slate because of appearance! Maybe a few cones on top would have alleviated the plight.

“I understand it is a program but diversification is crucial to farming and Jeremy has shown exactly what is faced in trying to bring this about.”

Commenting on the manner in which Mr Clarkson’s plans were rejected, former councillor Paul Taylor told Farmers Guide: “As an ex-borough and parish councillor I was disgusted at the district council’s attitude.

“The planning officer should have given a recommendation to the council and it should be based on the information in guidelines plus information in the report. It appears statutory bodies have been satisfied and whilst taking in public opinion, the councillors should also consider guidance.”

In response to the council’s claim that Clarkson is being treated like all other farmers, another Farmers Guide reader said:

“Yes exactly and farmers are forced to sell their produce to supermarket chains at low and no margins. The above comment highlights the fact that laws should be changed to allow farmers to create cooperatives and have a restaurant on their farms.”

Oxfordshire council members receive death threats over Clarkson case

Following the airing of Clarkson’s Farm season two, members of WODC received ‘a number of threats and abuse’, according to a statement issued by the council.

WODC said in the statement: ‘Unfortunately we have had to take safety precautions following a number of threats and abuse directed at councillors and local people since the airing of Season 2 of Clarkson’s Farm.

‘This has included death threats and as a result we have had to consider a range of safety measures to protect councillors, staff and residents.

‘We understand people may not agree with decisions taken by the council but there is no place for threatening or abusive behaviour. It damages the democratic process when people feel intimidated and do not feel safe to express the opinions they are entitled to,’ the authority added.

Addressing the decision to refuse further developments at the Diddly Squat site, the council claimed it has been working with Clarkson and planning agents over the past two years to reach consensus and enable the business to operate ‘within the planning laws and policies’.

‘Over recent years, Diddly Squat Farm has had many planning applications approved where they were in line with national and local planning policy.

‘This included approving the farm shop with its current car park, approving a lambing shed and allowing the area from which farm shop produce could be sourced to be extended.

‘The farm shop we approved can sell local produce from local farmers – which we wholly support,’ the statement concluded.