Jeremy Clarkson has emerged victorious from a protracted planning dispute, finally receiving the green light to upgrade the car parks at his Oxfordshire pub, The Farmer's Dog. The decision, confirmed in January 2026 by West Oxfordshire District Council, concludes a battle that lasted more than a year.
The Council's Verdict on Traffic and Parking
According to reports from the Oxford Mail, planning officer Kelly Murray acknowledged that the pub's immense popularity had created significant issues for the local area. She stated that the venue attracted an 'unusual level of traffic', causing congestion along the A40 and within the nearby village of Asthall.
However, Murray noted that the council's powers were limited in directly curbing the impacts of such a successful, lawfully operating business. The officer emphasised that providing adequate off-road parking was essential to discourage dangerous parking on the busy A40 and the road to Asthall.
Learning from Diddly Squat's Chaos
In her decision, Murray pointed to the chaotic scenes often witnessed at Clarkson's other venture, the Diddly Squat Farm shop, as a clear example of what happens when parking provision is insufficient. She explained that the high visitor numbers there had 'transformed the roadside verges', illustrating the adverse impacts of inadequate facilities.
The council ultimately concluded that the public interest in granting permission outweighed any minor harm caused by the expansion. The approved plans will see hard surfacing laid in both car parks at the Burford establishment.
Clarkson's Cotswolds Venture
Jeremy Clarkson purchased the pub, formerly known as The Windmill, in the summer of 2024. His frantic efforts to open it were famously documented in the hit Amazon Prime series, Clarkson's Farm. The 65-year-old has been a vocal proponent of a '100% British' ethos at the pub, sourcing ingredients from within a 16-mile radius, though he has recently relaxed his infamous ban on ketchup.
The planning win comes as Clarkson teases a return to filming for his farming series, following a three-month break—his first in four decades. It also follows the launch of his new spin-off quiz show, Millionaire Hot Seat, which aired its first episode to mixed reviews earlier in the same week.
