West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) has responded to accusations it has a 'vendetta' against Jeremy Clarkson.
The council has faced backlash from viewers over the latest season of Clarkson's Farm as he deals with new struggles while attempting to open a restaurant on his Diddly Squat Farm.
Despite his efforts, Clarkson has received stiff opposition from the 'red tape factory', aka the council.
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Anyone who's seen the show will know that every time he tries to make some additions to the property - whether it be for parking spaces, toilets or dining tables - he is swiftly rejected or threatened by the WODC.
The former Top Gear host had to fight tooth and nail to convert the farm's lambing barn into an eatery, where he planned to serve local produce to visitors.
Eventually, Clarkson settled on setting up the restaurant in an abandoned barn on the land, since its size and age meant he didn't need to seek out planning permission from the council.
Fans who have been watching the drama unfold on Amazon Prime Video are seething with rage and calling for an official investigation into the local council.
"I think there genuinely needs to be an investigation into the practices of the West Oxfordshire District Council Planning cartel," tweeted one viewer.
"Shameful, disgusting and just downright wrong behaviour."
Others have accused the WODC of having a 'vendetta' against Diddly Squat.
As said by one Twitter user: "You say that you're protecting an AONB, then the council set up a load of cones on the grass verge. You objected to him having a farm track, when you wouldn't object to other land owners having tracks.
"You are singled handedly running a vendetta against Mr Clarkson."
A second wrote: "Thing is.. This just demonstrates how corrupt the council is.
"Wasting public money on cones and pursuing a personal vendetta against Clarkson - hardly fair and unbiased.
"Hence EVERY SINGLE DECISION they've made must be revisited. Just sack the lot."
Despite the accusations, the council has since responded to the backlash and said it treats Clarkson's farm 'no differently' than other organisations.
"We understand that the planning process shown in Season 2 of Clarkson's Farm can seem obstructive and that people will be confused by the planning decisions at Diddly Squat Farm," WODC said in a statement.
"As with any other planning authority, we have a legal responsibility to make sure that planning laws and policies are followed correctly by everyone to manage development and protect local communities and the environment.
"This is regardless of who they are and we treat Diddly Squat Farm no differently."
Topics: Jeremy Clarkson, Amazon Prime, TV and Film, UK News
Daisy Phillipson