Jeremy Clarkson’s plans to buy a pub in Bourton are understood to have fallen through because the timings would not have worked for the filming of his documentary Clarkson’s Farm.

The former Top Gear presenter was rumoured to be interested in buying the Coach and Horses Inn in Bourton last summer.

The grade II-listed building dates back to the 18th Century and is only a stone’s throw away from Hawkstone Brewery, which is partly owned by Mr Clarkson, on the other side of the A429 Stow Road.

He was reportedly spotted with a filming crew in the car park of the Coach and Horses earlier this year.

And in March this year, there was great excitement among staff at Shire Hall ahead of a planned visit by the Diddly Squat Farm owner to discuss possible highways issues.

He is understood to have to have visited the county council with TV cameras to film for his documentary.

The talks were believed to be ahead of submitting a formal planning application to Cotswold District Council – however none was ultimately forthcoming.

But last month it was revealed that Mr Clarkson was taking over The Windmill in Asthall – a “village boozer” on five acres of countryside near Burford in Oxfordshire.

A source said councils in Gloucestershire were approached about potential plans for the Coach and Horses earlier this year.

Conversations are understood to have taken place about potential works Mr Clarkson wanted to do at the pub because he had an option to buy it.

The outline plans included refurbishing, reopening the pub and putting in a bigger car park and there could have possibly been a farm shop on the site.

However, after the meeting it all went quiet and in April it is understood they made the authorities aware that they would not continue with plans for Bourton-on-the-Water.

“I don’t think it is because of the planning but more to do with the timescales associated with their documentary,” a source said.

The freehold for the Coach and Horses has since been put up for sale and is currently listed by Savills and its owners are open to offers in the region of £795,000.

The “characterful” pub is advertised as having a “prominent” roadside position with outbuildings which include five en-suite letting bedrooms, a large grassed area and a car park for around 22 vehicles.

Jon Wareing, Cotswold District Council councillor for Bourton Village, said: "In many ways it's sad because we have an empty pub that is in a state of disrepair and it's a loss to the community. 

"The challenge was all about traffic and I think that's one of the reasons behind the decision, whereas The Windmill traffic-wise is better situated.

"It's a loss but there were concerns around traffic and the fact that there was no way of managing it, it's pluses and minuses really."