News in brief: Clarkson-planners rapprochement? | Record solar output | OxCam corridor progress
Jeremy Clarkson – Cristiano Barni, Shutterstock
A round-up of planning news: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Clarkson rows back on planner criticisms, but slams ‘low IQ’ committees
West Oxfordshire District Council has responded to comments from Clarkson’s Farm presenter Jeremy Clarkson about the council’s planning service, thanking him for recognising pressure on its planning officers.
Clarkson, who lives in Chipping Norton, said officers were overworked and criticised delays affecting a planning application for a car park at his farm shop. He also claimed larger schemes were progressing faster than smaller applications.
Clarkson has previously made disparaging comments about council planners, but appears to have changed his mind.
“I used to blame the planners, but I’ve sort of stopped,” said the former Top Gear host at the Conservative Party Conference.
“The fact of the matter is West Oxfordshire District Council doesn’t even have a receptionist now.
“Quite apart from the unbelievably low IQ of the people on the planning committee – honestly, how they tie their shoes, I have no idea.
“But the planning officers are just plainly massively overworked. We’ve been waiting since February for an answer on the car park at the farm shop again, and there’s just nothing coming back.
“They’re flat out. I don’t blame the planning officers because it isn’t like they’ve got too many civil servants at West Oxfordshire; they haven’t got enough, I don’t think.”
The council said its Witney reception and one-stop shop remains staffed five days a week. It added that the application had taken time partly because it was awaiting consultee responses and further information from the applicant, who had been kept updated.
The council also said other, simpler applications relating to Clarkson’s business had been approved during the same period.
It said planning teams across the country face funding pressures but maintained that its application performance remains above target.
Unanimous approval for 550-home scheme
Vistry and David Wilson Homes have been granted reserved matters permission by Mid-Sussex Council for 550 homes on land west of Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead.
Vistry will be responsible for 420 homes and David Wilson Homes will deliver a further 130 units. The scheme includes 165 affordable homes and received unanimous approval from the council’s planning committee.
Rod Martin, managing director for Vistry South East, said: “Securing unanimous approval for this reserved matters application is an important step forward for the development and reflects the commitment of everyone involved in bringing the scheme to this stage.”
“From the outset, our focus has been on creating a high-quality neighbourhood that delivers much-needed new homes while also providing the infrastructure, green spaces and community benefits that will support East Grinstead’s continued growth.
“The strong support shown by councillors and officers is a real endorsement of that vision, and we look forward to working with our partners to bring the development forward.”
Campbell Gregg, managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, commented: “Being granted approval for the development brings us closer to meeting the demand for high-quality new homes in East Grinstead. The plans include support for local infrastructure and services, in addition to affordable housing and green open spaces to benefit new and existing residents in the town.
“We are thrilled to receive unanimous approval for the development’s plans and look forward to bringing the vision for this new community to life.”
Bristol Airport solar output hits record
Bristol Airport has generated more than 1.7 million kWh of solar energy this year, up 20 per cent on last year and equivalent to the annual electricity use of around 680 homes.
The solar installations power the airport’s electric passenger buses, terminal operations and runway lighting. They include a 1.5MW solar farm south of the runway and panels installed on airport buildings, including the new Public Transport Interchange.
Later this year, the airport’s £10 million energy centre is expected to become operational, using electrically powered air source heat pumps to heat and cool the terminal. The project is intended to remove gas heating from the terminal.
Bristol Airport is also funding research into low-height wind turbines, aimed at overcoming barriers such as radar interference and increasing renewable energy generation.
The measures form part of its target for net-zero airport operations by 2030.
