Jeremy Clarkson says planning departments 'not terribly bright'

"Not terribly bright people in planning departments, just don't understand what they're messing around with."

Jeremy Clarkson slams planning departments for issues he's faced when trying to make improvements to his Diddly Squat farm shop, telling the News Desk planning departments are swayed by people in villages wearing red trousers.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has said giving the public a greater say in the planning process will build support for new housing developments amid warnings the shortage of homes could hit support for the Tories.

#talktv #talkradio

[Luton-Mick]

He's absolutely right about villager's saying no to everything, I lived in one while restoring an old house and they broke my heart with complaints about everything from having a skip outside to the noise levels from various power tools and even the radio during the day. They hate seeing people getting on and will do anything to stop it, personally I think cousins shouldn't have children together.

[MissyL]

'Clarksons farm' was so good at highlighting the difficulties faced by farmers whilst being really entertaining at same time ( and I don't normally find that kind of thing interesting). I'd really recommend everyone to watch it.

[neilaspinall]

"not terribly bright" is the diplomatic understatement of the century,

[TheAmazingAdventuresOfMiles]

A friend of mine bought a very old house in the woods some years ago, believed to date from around 1400. She's lived there ever since, but recently wanted a small extension, so asked the local planning authority as to whether this needed permission. Their response was that they had no record of this house ever being built in the first place, and they demanded proof of it's right to exist else she'd received a court order to demolish it. She had to quickly get a surveyor to establish the age of the house and provide copies of ancient maps showing the existence of the property, all quite expensive. you only had to look at it to see how old the property was. They eventually left her alone but their manner was rude, confrontational and accusatory, not to mention totally nonsensical. She just built the extension anyway and they never noticed. But she tried to do the right thing and was met with unworkable stupidity.

[robleary]

To all those out there saying, 'oh it's alright for him!, Amazon are paying him for the Diddly Squat farm series. Maybe they are but! He's highlighting soo many issues farmers and producers are facing day to day and getting said issues air time and raising awareness of the plight of farm folk. Hopefully he can get changes implemented!.

[K_a_r_l_o_s]

Government: Reduce your carbon footprint etc etc
Farmer: I'd like to build a shop so I and other producers can sell our produce locally.
Local government: No you can't.

[caroldixon]

Jeremy speaks on behalf of all farmers... well done him... for highlighting the plight of farmers

[jonathangammond]

Totally agree. Planners have two approaches. Say 'yes, whatever you want' to big housing developers. Say 'no, you can't, we know what you need' to everyone else.

[tassko]

I'm gobsmacked at how unproductive this country is. It isn't the farmers or the people it is this bloody government local and national. I had the pleasure of talking to a 92-year-old local farmer who is still working on his farm. All he does now is Hay. His words to me were that he can't do anything else. He can't do dairy because it is so hard to do profitably. He can't grow market vegetables because he can't sell them - supply chain issues - farm shops - planning. He has land and can't do anything with it. I totally agree with Jeremy but it goes further this government needs to step away from telling us 'no' and just let us get on with it. The banks find ways to get around this, and the pharmaceutical giants find ways to get around this. Utter rubbish that farming is so restricted.

[mikesgamingcox]

It's unbelievable how you can't get planning permission to build something to help your farm, but there give planning permission to build 100s of homes on green belt land.

[streamer_services]

This man must be protected at all cost

[LJ-wmbl]

The interviewer is actually respectful and letting the guest answer. Bravo👏

[maplejames]

Its such a shame that this local government is punishing Jeremy for being a celebrity farmer, and at the same time also punishing the other farmers he's trying to work with. I hope the council gets their heads out of their asses and start working together with Jeremy for the common good.

[KrisZelvis]

Clarksons farm is one of the best shows I have ever watched . Entertaining as well as eye opening to how this country is being mismanaged

[EugVR]

All councils are incompetent and are mostly run by incompetent people who have never worked in the real world, which is where the problem arises.
My local council stole £7.3 million of tax payers cash and after the inquiry to what happened to our money, which was conducted by themselves!, not a single person was found to have done any wrong doing and no one sent to prison but still £7.3 million was missing from the accounts! but I can assure you, if you stole that money from a private company, you will be locked up quicker than that.

[anthonydrabble]

I live on a farm in the Peak District national park. You should try dealing with the they are a nightmare. Love what your doing Jeremy. Best thing that ever happened to farming.

[colinmelling]

The government needs a department of common sense to help our farmers . They could then educate local planning departments.

[HappyDude]

I was furious when i saw that they say no to everything
He is helping everybody
Im glad he found a loophole

[fwwryh]

My dad had a workshop built in our garden. The planning man said he had to shave five inches off the back of it because it crossed onto agricultural land (we owned both pieces of land). So he sanded down the wall and threw some cement dust on the ground. About three months later the planner came and looked at it and accepted it. Another five years and it became garden land anyway because there was no fence dividing the land.

[D]

Love Jeremy Clarkson farm show. It's so good to have great and clean entertainment. 👏👏👏👏