Is Clarkson's Farm Real?

[kilésengati]

I've watched the second season of Clarkson's Farm. It is a documentary, so I suppose it is real, however, the struggles with the local council seem blown out of proportion. The council apparently rejected building a restaurant despite all other relevant institutions supporting the project, providing a rural region with >50 jobs, over some questionable statements by a big-city lawyer and an old… uhm… bloke concerned with star-gazing.

Being from a rural region myself, someone setting up such a business in some far-off village would be hailed as a local hero.

Are local councils in England really such unreasonable, all-powerful busybodies?
Is there really no way to appeal the decision of the local council at a lower court?
Would the farm really have to spend half a million to appeal the council's decision on a national level at a minister's office?

Now, I'm from Germany, even a lower court would likely throw such a decision under the bus in an instant.

The show makes England seem like feudalism with a cheap sticker of parliamentary democracy stuck on it.

[steven1mac]

From what I understand it is dramatized, but real. If you look at a few articles in the paper, you can read about a few of these events before the show comes out. For example, the restaurant he wanted to build is already closed because of the counsel, you probably won't hear about that until season 2.

Things like this is why they have a say in America, you can't fight city hall.

[Entity]

Our councils now (not as much as it used to) are far more likely to do political grandstanding. Clarkson has a reputation that makes me believe that he would almost certainly have some issues with a few who want to feel like they stuck it to him. Councils are now filled with opportunists.

[kilésengati]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von steven1mac:

you can't fight city hall.

Doesn't seem like rule of law.

But they apparently recently found away to appeal:
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/diddly-squat-farm-jeremy-clarkson-appeals-decision-to-close-restaurant-after-complaints-from-locals-4043847

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Entity:

Our councils now (not as much as it used to) are far more likely to do political grandstanding. Clarkson has a reputation that makes me believe that he would almost certainly have some issues with a few who want to feel like they stuck it to him. Councils are now filled with opportunists.

Sure, but what makes me question the show's portrayal of the situation is that it is a huge, even overburdening effort to go up against councils like these. If it's true, then these councils are just a bunch of elected little dictators - tyrants.

[Entity]

If it's true, then these councils are just a bunch of elected little dictators - tyrants.

Pretty much. A whole load of councils here have secretly gone behind our backs and signed us up to extreme climate control. I’m waiting for more people to find this out as only then will we get some blowback to the actions of these extremists. Though it may be too late by then.

[trousers]

The Cotswolds is an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) full of wealthy NIMBYs in rural communities that HATE outsiders (sans rich tourists). The farm is in the Cotswolds.

This means the planning regulations have teeth. It means the district council has even more objections than usual beyond merely the legal ones. Of which there are lots more than usual.

Also no nobody really does care about bringing 50+ jobs to the area unless they're going to herd sheep. Sorry. No spoiling the idyllic pastoralism.

So, real: no
Based on truth: yes
Not quite honestly depicted: Clarkson developing a poor relationship with the local council by ignoring them and repeatedly breaking the law or trying to use genius loopholes that don't actually exist, in an area with much stricter regs than usual
Expensive bread: yes

[kilésengati]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von an experience:

The Cotswolds is an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) full of wealthy NIMBYs in rural communities that HATE outsiders (sans rich tourists). The farm is in the Cotswolds.

This means the planning regulations have teeth. It means the district council has even more objections than usual beyond merely the legal ones. Of which there are lots more than usual.

Also no nobody really does care about bringing 50+ jobs to the area unless they're going to herd sheep. Sorry. No spoiling the idyllic pastoralism.

So, real: no
Based on truth: yes
Not quite honestly depicted: Clarkson developing a poor relationship with the local council by ignoring them and repeatedly breaking the law or trying to use genius loopholes that don't actually exist, in an area with much stricter regs than usual
Expensive bread: yes

So, basically, the Cotswolds is controlled by a bunch of rich urban flight dirtbags (which admittedly Clarkson could also qualify as) that only see it as their holiday destination and don't really give a flying toss about the native population and economy.
Sounds awfully familiar to me.
At least the system here in Germany doesn't give these people as much power.

Certainly, Clarkson's antics are not helping the situation either.

[Ⓥenom Ⓢnake 🐍]

Clarkson? As in the Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson?

What an odd coincidence of a thread to appear now. I'm watching him right this second.

[SMIFFY]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von kilésengati:

So, basically, the Cotswolds is controlled by a bunch of rich urban flight dirtbags (which admittedly Clarkson could also qualify as) that only see it as their holiday destination and don't really give a flying toss about the native population and economy.

Yes and Clarkson is most definitely one of them too. Clarkson is also and entitled brat who must always have his way, so don't take anything he says about the council (or anything) without a pinch of salt.

[Shodan 2.0]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzpx_jUUA0

I love cars and (classic) American cars are by far my favorite, but this is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Absolute perfection, especially the part when he gets in the car and does the accent. I cannot get enough of this video.

[kilésengati]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von SMIFFY:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von kilésengati:

So, basically, the Cotswolds is controlled by a bunch of rich urban flight dirtbags (which admittedly Clarkson could also qualify as) that only see it as their holiday destination and don't really give a flying toss about the native population and economy.

Yes and Clarkson is most definitely one of them too. Clarkson is also and entitled brat who must always have his way, so don't take anything he says about the council (or anything) without a pinch of salt.

It's best to take everything Clarkson says with a pinch of salt, even if he would live in a city.

[permanent name]

Yes, village councils derive more benefit from demonstrating rule over their territory than anything the village actually produces.

The drama itself is likely fake and exists to confuse the issue with Clarkson.