Jeremy Clarkson Forced to Wait Almost a Year for Cotswolds Pub Update
The Farmer’s Dog Faces Frustrating Delay
Jeremy Clarkson has been forced to wait nearly a year for progress on a simple update to his Cotswolds pub.
The 65-year-old TV personality, best known for Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farm, bought The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall, near Burford, during the summer of 2024. The purchase was part of his hit Amazon Prime series, Clarkson’s Farm.
Since opening, the countryside pub has become a popular spot for both locals and tourists, often packed with thirsty visitors on weekends. But behind the bar’s success lies a long and unexpected delay in local planning approval.
Planning Application Stuck in Limbo
In December 2024, Clarkson’s team submitted plans to the West Oxfordshire District Council to make minor upgrades to the site — including hard surfacing in both car parks, one of which is located on the western side of the property.
The site already has permission for 170 parking spaces, but the new application also proposed additional tree planting and hedgerow restoration to improve the surroundings.
Despite its modest scope, the application has been sitting undecided for almost 11 months, prompting questions about why such a straightforward request remains unresolved.
Council Offers No Explanation
When asked about the delay, West Oxfordshire District Council declined to give a specific reason. A spokeswoman simply stated:
“We do not comment on live planning applications, as each must follow due process and we cannot pre-determine any outcome. There are many reasons why applications can take time to progress, and a decision will be made once the process is complete.”
She added that all updates could be tracked through the council’s planning portal.
Typically, minor planning applications take around eight weeks to decide, while larger and more complex projects — such as housing developments or stadiums — can take up to 13 weeks.
No Objections, But No Movement
Planning consultant John Dickie described Clarkson’s proposal as “vanilla” and said it should have been approved “long before now.”
Notably, no objections have been received regarding the application, making the long delay even more puzzling.
Recently, a drainage strategy document was uploaded to the council’s public planning portal, suggesting that work on the application is still ongoing behind the scenes.
A Focus on Sustainable Design
The drainage report outlines how the car park’s design follows a “drainage hierarchy”, ensuring that the layout mirrors natural water flows as closely as possible. The plan includes reusing rainwater, infiltration systems, and appropriate discharge of surface water and foul sewage.
Neil Warner, an agent representing The Farmer’s Dog, added:
“The permission seeks the retention of the areas of hard surfacing that have been provided, in excess of that allowed for by the general permitted development order.”
Despite the detailed plans, no estimated timeline for a decision has been provided by the council.
What’s Next for Clarkson’s Pub?
For now, Jeremy Clarkson and his team remain in limbo — waiting for the final approval that will allow the pub to complete its car park improvements.
While The Farmer’s Dog continues to thrive as a popular drinking spot, this delay shows that even celebrities aren’t immune to the slow gears of local bureaucracy.
