Government introduces 'Clarkson Clause' and makes huge law change for farmers after pressure from show
Clarkson's Farm has gone down a storm once again after the third season of the hit documentary took to Amazon Prime Video earlier this month.
And it is proving to be more than just a TV show, with something called the 'Clarkson's Clause' now introduced by government following on from growing pressures within the agricultural industry.
The third outing of Jeremy Clarkson's adventures at Diddly Squat Farm took to Prime Video in two halves on May 3 and 10.
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Viewers will be happy to know that filming for season four is already under way; albeit with a few hiccups and stoppages along the way.
The third season produced the goods once again, with Jeremy - who now reportedly wants to buy a pub around the corner - taking on Kaleb in a year-long bet to see who could make the most money.
It also brought us sad moments, with farmhand Gerald Cooper being diagnosed with cancer. And who can forget the pigs.
The season cumulated in Jeremy securing a huge win against West Oxfordshire District Council, following the council's decision to forcefully shut a restaurant opened on the site in an old lambing barn.
And while Jeremy wasn't able to reopen the restaurant in the same place, he was given planning permission for the farm shop, brand new parking facilities and even a cafe.
Now, the real life battle over the restaurant that fuelled the TV feud has inspired proper changes to the law.
As a result, farmers will now be able to convert disused agricultural buildings on their land in to homes and shops - without a need for planning permission.
The 'Clarkson's Clause' has been brought in by the government, as it looks to cut red tape for farmers in a bid to ease their efforts to diversify income streams.
Mark Spencer, the farming minister, said: "I am extremely pleased to support our farmers and provide them the freedom to decide the best uses for buildings on their land, without needless bureaucracy holding them back.
"We are listening to farmers and putting them at the heart of future development of our rural areas.
"Helping farmers secure their businesses and get on with the important job of producing food is our top priority."
Up to ten homes can now be created on a farm without planning permission through conversion jobs.
The changes will:
- Double the amount of floorspace that can change from agricultural to ‘flexible commercial use’ from 500 square metres to 1,000 square metres.
- Increase the size of new buildings or extensions that can be built on farms over 5 hectares from 1,000 square metres to 1,500 square metres.
- For smaller farms increase the size of such development from 1,000 square metres to 1,250 square metres.
- Double the number of homes that can be delivered through the conversion of agricultural buildings from five to 10.
- Protect nationally important archaeological sites (scheduled monuments) by removing the ability for extensions to be built and new buildings erected in the vicinity.
Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety Lee Rowley said: "Farmers are the lifeblood of communities, and these changes give them the freedom to grow their businesses, and plan for their futures."
Topics: Amazon, Amazon Prime, Clarkson's Farm, Documentaries, Jeremy Clarkson, Politics, TV, TV and Film, Kaleb Cooper
Tom Earnshaw