A NEW barn extension will be erected at Jeremy Clarkson’s Oxfordshire farm after the council gave the plans prior approval.
Clarkson Farm star Jeremy Clarkson applied for planning permission to erect a bullpen extension at Diddly Squat Farm off Chipping Norton Road in Chadlington.
The plans include a small extension, 6m in width and 11.5m in height, to add to his existing structure where he keeps a small herd of Beef Shorthorn cattle.
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West Oxfordshire District Council, in a decision statement published earlier this month, declared that the proposed development did not require ‘prior approval’.
In the design and access statement, written by David Burson, it states that barn extension is ‘necessary to support farming operations’.
He wrote: “Curdle Hill Farm is a substantial working farm with a small herd of Beef Shorthorn cattle with breeding heifers supplemented with store cattle as the herd increases.
“The proposed extension is to provide a pen in order that the farm’s bull can be housed separate from the main herd to ensure welfare and avoid out-of-season calvings.
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“The building is of a standard design for keeping cattle. The open span offers a light and airy space for livestock to ensure welfare.
“The position to the end of the existing cattle shed is efficient as the housed bull can be managed alongside the main herd (same feeding round, etc) but ensures it is sufficiently separate.
“In short, the proposed building is necessary to support the established farm business at Curdle Hill Farm.
“The building is of a conventional design to suit its particular purpose, namely keeping of cattle, as required by the permitted development right.”
The application, though it did not require prior approval, was submitted for confirmation that the development fell under what the council had already permitted for the barn.
The farm’s operations are all filmed for the former Top Gear host’s Amazon Prime Show – Clarkson’s Farm.
The popular Prime Video show began in 2021 and documents life on the star’s farm in Chadlington near Chipping Norton.
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Mr Clarkson bought Diddly Squat Farm in 2008 and the documentary has brought awareness to issues facing farmers across the country
It has been revealed the filming for season four is well underway so it is suspected that fans will be able to learn about the keeping of bulls upon the season’s release.
A release date for season four is yet to be announced with production still ongoing but it is likely that the upcoming collection of episodes will be released in the summer of 2025.
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