Press reports have claimed that Clarkson is facing a showdown with the local council.
On the online planning section of the council website, a decision has not been made on the planning application, despite it being submitted at the beginning of December.
The statutory time for applications for planning permission are set out in Town and Country Planning Order 2015. These can take up to 16 weeks if an Environment Impact Assessment is needed and 26 weeks for major applications.
The application detailed the retention of the surfacing to the staff car park at the western end of the site and additional customer parking at the eastern end of the Farmer’s Dog.
It is stated within the submission letter that: “Both areas are within the area within which the existing planning permission extends and the act of parking cars itself is not one which requires permission.”
Clarkson has in the past faced backlash from Cotswolds locals over the traffic caused by people visiting the pub.
Challenges
If the application is not considered lawful then the pub could be facing a number of challenges. These would include taking account of the site’s potential levels of traffic generation and higher levels of parking demand as well as the hanging position of a gate to reduce any potential conflict within the public highway.
The proposal also includes the provision of new planting to ensure the “natural and scenic beauty of the area is protected.”
The council has confirmed that the application is still under consideration. The Morning Advertiser understands that there is no date for a final decision.
It was recently revealed Clarkson’s pub is set to have a starring role in the new up and coming Amazon Prime series.
In January 2025, the council gave permission for the erection of a single storey extension at the premises.
No objections
As part of this latest planning application the Cotswold National Landscape Board was approached and did not object.
In fact, it highlighted that the plans would help to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area rather than see overspill parking on the roads surrounding the site.
Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire County Archaeological Services have also raised no objections in relation to the application.
