Chipping Norton residents have voiced their anguish over what they describe as ‘ruined’ by ‘ridiculous overdevelopment’.
The charming Cotswolds town, now a hotspot for holidaymakers drawn by household names such as David Cameron, Jamie Oliver and Kate Moss, is grappling with increased demand for housing.
This boom, partly fuelled by the picture-perfect portrayal of country living on Clarkson’s Farm, has led to mounting pressure on local amenities and public services.
A proposed new development of 350 homes, encroaching upon the edge of Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm, has tipped tolerance over the edge.
Seasoned residents are warning that, despite its allure of glitz, the reality of life in Chipping Norton falls short of expectations.
A contingent of new arrivals lured by the show’s charm now find themselves disillusioned, faced with the stark realisation that the town offers scant leisure activities.
Chipping Norton natives Jane Hancox and Clare Webb, twin sisters, suggest the upcoming property project symbolises the unchecked growth prompted by the town’s heightened profile.
At 49, cleaner Clare Webb, alongside her sister, expresses mixed feelings about Clarkson’s influence: “I think Clarkson is good in the way he’s bringing money in but the thing is, the prices are going up.”
She added, sounding a note of apprehension: “There isn’t the infrastructure to cope with all the new people coming.”
Ms Hancox, aged 49, expressed her frustration: “We have had new houses built up the road from us and all we smell is sewage because the sewers can’t take it.”
She further elaborated on local issues by adding: “It has got worse over the years with all the houses and people coming through. The roads are not big enough, it has got ridiculous. The traffic is a nightmare. We can’t even get to the doctors.”
Addressing the cost of living, she said: “I’ve met people who have come up from London and said it’s more expensive here than there.”
And regarding local housing, she remarked, “In our village, the affordable houses were meant to be for people from the village but most have gone to strangers.”
The town could see further changes as three fields by the historic cricket club might become sites for hundreds of new homes.
Rainier Developments has approached West Oxfordshire District Council with a scoping report ahead of their possible 350-house planning application.
Adjacent to the site is another ongoing project, involving about 90 new homes and related infrastructure, which received council approval in 2023.
This development pursuit continues despite Chipping Norton’s earlier acceptance of building over 100 houses promoted by Gleeson Land’s in April following more than a hundred objections, voicing concerns on increased traffic, overloaded infrastructures and loss of valuable farmland.
Scott Sumners, a 56-year-old bricklayer, bemoaned that celebs such as Jeremy Clarkson are spoiling what it feels like to live in the town.
He said: “We didn’t have any troubles 20 years ago. There’s still a lot of nice people but there’s so many tourists. It can get a bit rowdy out here on a Saturday night.
“I was walking my dog across the road one day and I overheard a couple say they had travelled from Scotland to come and see the town. There’s nothing here.”
Mr Summers recounted an event where he ran into Clarkson at the local petrol station and observed a tense exchange with a fellow villager.
He further mentioned: “A man went up to him and said ‘hello Jeremy’, but he just replied ‘That’s Mr Clarkson to you’.
“I didn’t like that. There’s no need to be rude.”
Chipping Norton resident Bianca, who relocated close to the contentious Rainier development, expressed her admiration for Jeremy Clarkson saying it prompted her move after she watched Clarkson’s Farm.
She continued: “I moved here because of Jeremy but I’m probably going back to London. There’s literally nothing here.
“I feel like I probably didn’t do enough research. I probably should have stayed here in a hotel for a week first to see what it was like.”
Visitors to the town also deplored the scarcity of amenities and activities available.
Tourist Andy Goodyer, hailing from South Derbyshire, lamented: “It’s rubbish here – we prefer the Peak District!”.
Business owner Mr Goodyer, aged 57, added: “There are millions of tourists coming in, but it’s not because of Jeremy.”
David Smart, a 76-year-old tourist visiting Chipping Norton, said: “I think he’s supporting farming in general. I’m sure it’s bringing good economics to the area.”