Key facts
- South African billionaire Koos Bekker is expanding his estate in Somerset, England, through his company Emily Estate (UK) Limited, trading as The Newt.
- Bekker has acquired over 2,700 acres of land around Bruton and Castle Cary.
- Residents have raised concerns about the estate's expansion, pesticide use, and branding deals, including the renaming of Castle Cary train station.
- The Newt hotel grounds are accessible only to guests or those with an £85 annual pass.
- Local residents have reported increased flooding, which the hotel acknowledges and is addressing.
- Concerns have been raised about the use of harmful chemicals in farming operations on the estate.
South African billionaire Koos Bekker's extensive land acquisitions in Somerset, England, for his luxury hotel and estate, The Newt, have sparked tensions with local residents. While the estate aims to present an image of bucolic tranquility and respect for nature, its expansion and operations have drawn criticism.
Mentioned as the chair of Naspers, one of the world's largest technology firms with a net worth of approximately £3 billion, Bekker has purchased over 2,700 acres (1,090 hectares) around Bruton and Castle Cary through his company Emily Estate (UK) Limited, which operates as The Newt.
Beyond the hotel's grounds, Bekker has acquired local businesses, including a deli, a beauty parlor, farmhouses, and pubs. This expansion into the heart of local villages has led to friction. For instance, the George pub in Castle Cary, now owned by The Newt, has seen price increases, with a bag of chocolate buttons costing £11.95 and a bottle of estate-grown cider priced at £12.50.
The hotel's influence extends to public services, with the local train station now branded as 'Castle Cary for the Newt'. Food writer Hugh Thomas described this as 'arrogant and brazen,' feeling the station has been 'colonised' by the hotel.
Concerns have also been raised about environmental practices. Rewilding expert Derek Gow stated that keeping five red squirrels in a pen at The Newt was 'performative' and did not benefit wildlife conservation. Residents have also petitioned against the use of pesticides on the estate's farmland, with Gabriella Wilde expressing surprise and disappointment over the use of 'harmful chemicals.'
Furthermore, local people have reported increased flooding, which they believe is exacerbated by the estate's construction and land use. The hotel has acknowledged this issue and is implementing measures like digging pools to manage water run-off. Farmers, including cider-maker Oliver Dowding, suspect that new boreholes drilled by the hotel have reduced water levels in the River Brue.
Despite the hotel's claims of 'locally produced' food, its farms are not organically certified. John Sykes noted the 'severely trimmed hedges' and 'sterile lawns,' expressing concern about the lack of biodiversity and the continuous land acquisition by Bekker, fearing the area is becoming 'just one man’s estate.'
A spokesperson for The Newt stated that their philosophy centers on a love of gardens and respect for the land, employing experts across operations and remaining committed to the local community by employing over 650 local residents.