Police try to slam the brakes on Jeremy Clarkson’s plans to expand his Diddly Squat Farm shop

When Jeremy Clarkson hit a TV producer who failed to ensure he was provided with a hot dinner after a day on location filming Top Gear, he avoided police action after his victim declined to press charges.

Now, however, the petrolhead faces a battle with the boys in blue over the increasingly acrimonious row surrounding his farm shop.

I can disclose that Thames Valley Police has issued a formal warning about Clarkson’s plans to expand his Diddly Squat Farm shop, which has already attracted thousands of fans and caused traffic problems in his previously sleepy corner of the Cotswolds.

I can disclose that Thames Valley Police has issued a formal warning about Clarkson’s plans to expand his Diddly Squat Farm shop. Pictured: Jeremy Clarkson with his girlfriend Lisa Hogan

Clarkson, 61, whose Amazon Prime show about his efforts to become a farmer has been a big hit, plans to renovate another barn, leading to fears he wants to expand his business, which will also see a lambing shed converted into a 60-seat restaurant.

‘If this application has been made in anticipation of a future change of use application, there is potential for disruption in terms of highway safety and for a demand on policing being generated by the site,’ a Thames Valley Police official says in the missive to West Oxfordshire district council. 

‘I strongly encourage the applicant to consult with me in the event that this agricultural building is considered for commercial use.’

Clarkson, 61, whose Amazon Prime show about his efforts to become a farmer has been a big hit, plans to renovate another barn

Clarkson, 61, whose Amazon Prime show about his efforts to become a farmer has been a big hit, plans to renovate another barn

People queue outside the town hall for a meeting to discuss Jeremy Clarkson's farm shop

People queue outside the town hall for a meeting to discuss Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop

Jeremy Clarkson at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

Jeremy Clarkson at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

Clarkson, who runs his shop with glamorous 48-year-old girlfriend Lisa Hogan, has told of how locals ‘give him the finger’ when he walks by, because they are so irked by his shop’s success.

Local Hilary Moore, a parish councillor for the Chadlington area, reckons the shop should be closed down, and wrote to the council, saying: ‘Our roads are clogged with traffic and the whole area is becoming a danger zone with fast cars showing off their speed on narrow lanes, and traffic queueing for a mile or so.’

Last week, Clarkson blasted those who have an issue with his shop as ‘red trouser wearers’, referring to the countryside toff uniform of choice. Let’s hope he’s in a better mood when the police turn up.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said ‘we do not have any concerns or objection with regards to this current application, provided the building remains in agricultural use. Given this small site has received significant national attention, there has been a noticeable increase in traffic in the vicinity, which needs to be managed safely should the development be expanded.’ 

George Osborne partied hard in his youth, and now the former Chancellor’s son, Luke, has set himself up as a nightclub boss, running rave nights across the country.

Luke, 20, who’s studying at Bristol University, has registered a company called the Constitution Ltd to channel earnings from the business. For one recent Bristol club night, it boasted: ‘Gonna be 5 hours of good s**t. Gassed.’

Lily wraps up well in a paper dress

Lily Cole is apparently determined to prove them correct. The doll-faced Cambridge graduate, 33, has posed in a paper dress to prove her eco-credentials

Lily Cole is apparently determined to prove them correct. The doll-faced Cambridge graduate, 33, has posed in a paper dress to prove her eco-credentials

Envious admirers sometimes remark that models would look good even if they were wearing bin bags.

Lily Cole is apparently determined to prove them correct. The doll-faced Cambridge graduate, 33, has posed in a paper dress to prove her eco-credentials.

‘The dress is made from a mix of cotton and Tencel — an innovative fabric made from sustainably harvested trees,’ she explains. ‘It has been really amazing to see how much the fashion industry has grown and changed and how many amazing materials there are now.’

Cole had to apologise last month after she faced a backlash for posing in a burka as Afghanistan fell to Taliban rule.

At least she’s barking up the right tree this time.

Forget supermarket shortages, the real crisis worrying well-heeled Mayfair diners is the lack of oysters.

Top chef Richard Corrigan, who runs Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, has been forced to ration his native oysters because fewer have been grown this year.

‘My customers are very greedy for oysters around the native season,’ the Michelin-starred restaurateur tells me. The season lasts from now until April but the pandemic is being blamed for suppliers producing fewer oysters.

Corrigan, who’s cooked for the Queen, says the rationing has not gone down well with his patrons: ‘They were angry that they were allowed only 24 oysters. I have to limit them.’

At around £6 each for a native oyster, a platter of 24 would cost £144 — so this is a VERY Mayfair problem.

There must be something in the water at Kensington Palace. 

On Tuesday, I disclosed that the Duchess of Cambridge’s stylist, Natasha Archer, was expecting a baby. Now, I hear that two more of Catherine’s key staff are going on maternity leave at the same time.

The Palace is advertising for maternity cover for a personal assistant to the Duchess and her husband, Prince William, as well as a deputy personal secretary.

However, Catherine won’t be having a fourth child of her own, if Wills can help it. When a well-wisher suggested the prospect in 2019, she replied: ‘I think William would be a little worried.’

Collins is blooming in Berlin 

Lily (pictured with Charlie McDowell), 33, the daughter of Eighties rock star Phil Collins, was attending a dinner in Berlin, sponsored by Cartier, for which she's an ambassador

Lily (pictured with Charlie McDowell), 33, the daughter of Eighties rock star Phil Collins, was attending a dinner in Berlin, sponsored by Cartier, for which she’s an ambassador

The honeymoon is clearly not over for Emily In Paris star Lily Collins, who was positively glowing as she made her first public appearance with new husband, the filmmaker Charlie McDowell.

Lily, 33, the daughter of Eighties rock star Phil Collins, was attending a dinner in Berlin, sponsored by Cartier, for which she’s an ambassador.

She exchanged vows three weeks ago with Charlie, 38, the son of A Clockwork Orange star Malcolm McDowell and Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen.

Ruthie gets Beckham to dish up some spice

David Beckham (pictured with Ruth), Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Michael Caine are among 38 stars who will appear on the podcast, called River Cafe Table 4

David Beckham (pictured with Ruth), Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Michael Caine are among 38 stars who will appear on the podcast, called River Cafe Table 4

Her Thames-side restaurant, the River Cafe, has long attracted some of the world’s most famous names, and now Ruth Rogers has persuaded dozens of them to spill their secrets for a new podcast.

David Beckham, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Michael Caine are among 38 stars who will appear on the podcast, called River Cafe Table 4, after the table where Lady Rogers oversees the dining room. Her first guest is Brokeback Mountain star Jake Gyllenhaal.

‘There are parallels between theatre and a restaurant,’ Ruthie says. ‘Everybody has to know their lines and everybody has to have made the sauce.’

Caine, whose father was a Billingsgate fish market porter, speaks about his comfort food of choice: ‘Years ago it was sausage and mash, now it’s caviar.’

The Queen is known for her love of horses, and I hear she’s been delighted with a new — rather leafy — steed down the road from Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip’s loyal groom, Terry Pendry, has entertained the monarch by installing a topiary horse in his garden.

At Chelsea Flower Show, Pendry, who is often seen out riding with the Queen, said he had proudly shown off his equine-shaped sculpture to Her Majesty. These intricately snipped shrubs are a new society trend, don’t you know.

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