Jeremy Clarkson farm critics face ‘abusive death threats’ as cops issue warning

Jeremy Clarkson has been rocked by the news that two local councillors who refused plans to extend his Diddly Squat farm have been the subject of death threats.

The 62-year old former Top Gear presenter had previously submitted an application to extend the car park at his on-site shop, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.

However, after it was revealed during an episode of Amazon Studios' Clarkson's Farm last month that local authority West Oxfordshire District Council had turned down the proposal, 'malicious communications' have been sent to a councillor and a member of the public.

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The authority said in a 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."

They added: "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."

Who Wants to be a Millionaire host Clarkson has suffered another Diddly Squat setback, meanwhile, after the council moved to shut down his restaurant on the same plot of land.

WODC say it opened without planning permission when it launched in July last year and therefore an enforcement notice has been issued, declaring its "nature, scale and siting" was "incompatible with its open countryside location" in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Now it has ordered the closure of the restaurant or any other establishment selling food that will be consumed on the farm, adding that dining tables, chairs, parasols, picnic tables and mobile toilets must be removed.

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The John Phillips Planning Consultancy working on behalf of Clarkson has appealed the decision, however, claiming the decision was "excessive" and that the farm isn't in breach of planning laws.

Addressing the parking issue, Clarkson recently took to his Twitter account to advice on a particularly busy day, writing: "It’s really busy at the farm shop today and I’m sorry we can’t provide proper car parking.

"Until we can, the local police, who are very great and much on our side btw, do ask that people don’t park on the main road."

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