Villagers have enthusiastically backed Jeremy Clarkson’s plans to renovate a Cotswolds' pub despite fears over increased traffic. <br /><br />Clarkson, 64, paid “less than one million” for The Windmill and five acres of countryside, near the pretty village of Burford in Oxfordshire.<br /><br />The dilapidated wedding venue is set to be totally transformed by the Grand Tour host, complete with a new name. <br /><br />The disruption caused by Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington has attracted some criticism from neighbours. <br /><br />But the inhabitants of nearby Asthall have so far given Clarkson’s big plans the benefit of the doubt.<br /><br />Tom Walker, 51, who farms livestock and arable, was confident Clarkson’s arrival would buoy the local farming community. <br /><br />“He’s already spoken to some of the farmers and talked about using their produce,” Tom said, adding: “I think he does a lot of good for farming.”<br /><br />Tom, who runs the farm with his cousin John, had reservations about the influx of people. <br /><br />He said: “I am worried about the traffic - they will hopefully come off the main road. <br /><br />“I think it will do more good than harm.”<br /><br />Neighbour Derek Netherton, 79, who rents out an Airbnb in the village, was also optimistic about The Windmill’s new owner. <br /><br />He said: “We are excited for the extra custom, but we’re apprehensive about the noise. <br /><br />“With a bit of luck the traffic will stay on the A40, as the roads are very narrow.”<br /><br />Derek said he had watched Clarkson’s Farm, which he praised for being very good for farmers. <br /><br />In the Sunday Times, Clarkson spoke of The Windmill’s grounds as previously being “a famous dogging site”. <br /><br />Derek added his understanding that the area had been used for underground bare knuckle boxing fights.<br /><br />Chris Townsend, 50, a metal wall art sculptor, hoped people would flock to Clarkson’s new pub. <br /><br />He said: “It potentially could be really positive for the area as The Windmill had been struggling for years.”<br /><br />He added: “I have a showroom so people waiting around could be brilliant.” <br /><br />Chris said the former Top Gear presenter’s plans for the pub sounded promising. <br /><br />Clarkson has set out intentions to ban “noisy TVs”, encourage traditional pub games, serve only British produce, and hand out a free pint of Hawkstone to farmers. <br /><br />Chris said: “All that I have heard in the press sounds good.”<br /><br />Fiona Dunbar, 50, owner of Cotswold Home Manager, was also supportive of Clarkson’s endeavours. <br /><br />She said: “If he is taking over a business that is struggling, helping British farmers by stocking their produce and raising awareness of how hard it is for them, then go for it.”<br /><br />She added: “The Cotswolds is full of traffic anyway.”<br /><br />Tanya Hunt, 44, who works at the same company, added: “He is brilliant for farming and is trying to help, not annoy.<br /><br />“He is like marmite, and I love him.”<br /><br />James, 60, who withheld his surname, also thought the pub’s new ownership would benefit the area. <br /><br />He said: “It’s obviously good for the village, but I am concerned about how busy it will get."
