Jeremy Clarkson Given Nine Conditions for Cotswolds Pub Approval
Jeremy Clarkson has been granted planning permission for his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, but only after being handed a detailed list of conditions by the local council.
The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter, now best known for Clarkson’s Farm, received approval earlier this month from West Oxfordshire District Council to carry out work on the pub’s car parks near Asthall, close to Burford.
Permission Granted for Car Park Surfacing
The approval allows Clarkson to install hard surfacing in both of the pub’s car parks, including the western car park accessed from the A40.
Clarkson purchased the pub in summer 2024 for £1 million. Unlike his highly publicised planning disputes surrounding Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, the Farmer’s Dog has faced fewer objections—though the council has now imposed strict conditions on how the work must proceed.
Hedge Protection and Landscaping Rules
One of the key conditions requires the existing hedge along the northern boundary of the eastern car park to be maintained at a height of at least 1.5 metres.
The council has also stated that any plants that die must be replaced in the next planting season with similar species and at the same height. According to the authority, this requirement is intended to protect biodiversity and preserve the character of the surrounding landscape.
Traffic Management Plan Required
Clarkson has been instructed to submit a transport management method statement within six weeks of the decision.
The council said this plan must demonstrate how traffic will be managed safely, ensuring suitable measures are in place for both vehicles and pedestrians. Access gates to the car parks must open inwards, and no construction work may begin until these requirements are satisfied.
Drainage Scheme Must Be Approved First
Another condition prevents work from starting until a detailed surface water drainage scheme for both car parks has been submitted and approved in writing.
This requirement is designed to prevent flooding and manage runoff, particularly given the pub’s proximity to busy roads and nearby residential areas.
Nature-Friendly Enhancements Ordered
Among the nine conditions, the council has also required Clarkson to introduce environmental enhancements around the site.
These include installing bird and bat boxes and improving grassland areas around the beer garden, as part of broader efforts to support local wildlife.
Council Cites ‘Unusual’ Traffic Levels
In her planning decision, council officer Kelly Murray said the pub had attracted an “unusual” level of traffic, leading to congestion concerns both along the A40 and within the village of Asthall.
She compared the situation to the opening of Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop, which also drew large crowds and caused traffic disruption during peak periods.
Approval Comes with Tight Oversight
While the decision allows Clarkson to move forward with improvements at the Farmer’s Dog, it also places the pub under close scrutiny.
The conditions reflect the council’s attempt to balance the popularity of the venue with the need to protect local infrastructure, road safety, and the surrounding countryside.
