By Tom Bevan

Jeremy Clarkson has suffered a blow in his bid to extend his Diddly Squat farming operation in the Cotswolds - after planners recommended refusing permission.

The former Top Gear host has faced an angry backlash from local residents over his ambition to expand the farm with more than 50 objections registered with the council.

He has applied for planning permission to build a new car park and cafe on the site close to the village of Chadlington.

Clarkson's representatives had already been forced to change transport plans for the scheme to try and appease the mounting number of objectors.

But the alterations have not gone far enough for many and councillors are now being recommended to turn down his proposal at a meeting on Monday.

And the 61-year-old presenter faces a potential double blow after being served with a notice following complaints that the farm shop had breached original planning conditions by selling out-of-town souvenirs.

In a report, the planning official from West Oxfordshire Council said the nature and scale of the plans "does not fall within the scope of a farm diversification scheme."

It states: "By reason of its siting, design, scale and nature of the use, the proposed development would not be compatible or consistent with the existing farming operation or its sensitive open countryside location within the Cotswolds AONB.

"The development would be visually intrusive and harmful to the open rural character, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the area."

In response to earlier concerns, architects in charge of the project, Courtingtons, released amended designs in the hope of garnering further local support.

The new proposals would see the creation of a one way system in and out of the facility for the proposed 70 vehicle car park, which is backed by an additional 'overflow' car park field.

The new design would also include a separate entrance driveway, along with a bike parking space in an effort to appease locals furious at traffic problems coming in and out of the village.

Despite it being the source of several objections, planners did not cite the traffic problems as a reason for refusal.

But they did respond to concerns raised by local resident Maggie Jackman, of Chadlington, about breaches in the original conditions imposed.

Planners say they are now investigating complaints the farm shop is selling more than just "goods and produce grown, reared or produced on the holding or from local producers."

The report stated: "This matter is being investigated and a Planning Contravention Notice has recently been served."