The latest season of Clarkson’s Farm has drawn criticism from viewers as he faces fresh challenges from the local council while seeking to build a restaurant, car park, and farm track on Diddly Squat Farm.
West Oxfordshire District Council is being criticised by fans of the show for allegedly having a “vendetta” against host Jeremy Clarkson.
The show has done very well on the streaming site, much to the surprise of Clarkson who was skeptical that people would enjoy it.
He revealed to LADbible: “I thought Clarkson’s Farm would serve up gentle disappointment to fans of The Grand Tour.”
“They’d watch the first one, maybe the first three, and that would dwindle to nobody watching.
“And then obviously the first inkling that all was well was there was a Guardian review the day after it aired, which said it was appalling and dreadful and an insult to farmers, and I thought, ‘The Guardian hate it – I think we’re on to something here.’”
And now, season 2 has officially dropped. The synopsis for this season reads: “Jeremy Clarkson, Britain’s best-known but least-qualified amateur farmer is back!
“Another year in the life of Diddly Squat farm begins, and all the regular characters are still here, helping Jeremy as much as they can: Kaleb’s on hand to show him How to Actually Run a Farm, Lisa’s running the shop, Charlie’s always ready to deliver more brutal home truths, and Gerald’s still Head of Security, with his own unique way of expressing himself.
“With farmers across the country facing the impact of Brexit and the impending loss of subsidies, all are forced to diversify and Jeremy’s got big plans: he wants a herd of cows, he wants a load more chickens, and he wants his own restaurant where he can serve up a menu entirely made up of Diddly Squat produce, with the ambition of increasing his annual profit from last year (£144). All farms are busy, but this one is about to get a whole lot busier…”
The most recent episodes of the show, which have a reputation for not sugarcoating how difficult farming is in reality, have already irritated viewers by showing Clarkson’s efforts to operate his farm being impeded by numerous challenges.
More specifically the WODC council, and their constant opposition to Clarkson’s plans.
Viewers will be aware that the WODC quickly rejects or threatens him whenever he attempts to add something to the property, whether it is parking spots, restrooms, or even an eatery on his land.
Amazon Prime viewers who have been following the drama are furious, and some even want a formal probe into the goings on at the local council.
“I think there genuinely needs to be an investigation into the practices of the West Oxfordshire District Council Planning cartel,” one viewer wrote. “Shameful, disgusting, and just downright wrong behaviour.”
While another said: “You say that you’re protecting an AONB, then the council set up a load of cones on the grass verge. You objected to him having a farm track when you wouldn’t object to other land owners having tracks. You are singled-handedly running a vendetta against Mr Clarkson.”
Despite the complaints, the council has subsequently addressed the reaction and asserted that it handles “Diddly Squat Farm no differently” than any others.
“We understand that the planning process shown in Season 2 of Clarkson’s Farm can seem obstructive and that people will be confused by the planning decisions at Diddly Squat Farm,” WODC said.
“As with any other planning authority, we have a legal responsibility to make sure that planning laws and policies are followed correctly by everyone to manage development and protect local communities and the environment.
“This is regardless of who they are and we treat Diddly Squat Farm no differently.”
