A council has hit back at accusations it has "a personal vendetta" against television presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

West Oxfordshire District Council was responsing to a social media backlash claiming the authority had refused planning applications to expand Mr Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm because of bias against him.

READ MORE: 'Absolute waffle': Reaction to council statement on Diddly Squat Farm

Scenes of the clashes between the council and the former Top Gear star appeared in season two of Clarkson’s Farm which was released on Amazon Prime Video on February 10.

West Oxfordshire District Council refused to grant permission for an additional car park at Diddly Squat farm shop and lines of cars were seen queuing on the road outside the shop when it opened at the weekend.

 

And now a district council spokesman has stated the authority is trying to work closely with Mr Clarkson.

He said: “We do not have a ‘vendetta’ against Mr Clarkson or indeed any applicant.

"Behind the scenes we have worked with the owners and planning agents of Diddly Squat Farm to try and reach a positive outcome where the business can operate within the planning laws and policies.

“We have provided advice and approved many planning applications for Diddly Squat Farm over recent years where they have been submitted correctly and meet planning requirements.

“This included approving the farm shop with its current car park, approving a lambing shed and allowing the area from which farm shop produce could be sourced to be extended.

“We have also supported proposals at his own houses and in connection with the filming of The Grand Tour."

Another common accusation on Twitter was that the council was not doing enough to support local farmers.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson lodges TWO appeals against council for Diddly Squat Farm

Farmers have been hit particularly hard by the aftermath of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council spokesman added: “Farming and rural businesses are incredibly important in West Oxfordshire, and we sympathise with the challenges farmers face in running their businesses, especially after the uncertainty caused by Brexit as highlighted in Clarkson’s Farm.

“We work successfully with many farmers across the district on a regular basis to discuss and approve planning applications to help them with their businesses.”