Business · Companies · 1 day ago
South African billionaire’s Somerset estate expansion draws local concern
South African billionaire Koos Bekker is expanding the Newt, a luxury hotel and estate in Somerset, England.
He bought the manor house Hadspen House in 2013 and has since acquired more land and properties nearby.
The estate now covers more than 2,700 acres around Bruton and Castle Cary, according to an analysis cited in the story.
It has also bought local businesses, including pubs, and the nearby Castle Cary station sign now says “Castle Cary for the Newt”.
Some residents welcome the investment and jobs, while others worry that the estate is gaining too much influence over village life.
Concerns include the scale of the expansion, pesticide use and branding deals, as well as whether local prices will rise.
The story gives no specific next steps in the dispute.
South African billionaire Koos Bekker has acquired more than 2,700 acres around Bruton and Castle Cary through Emily Estate (UK) Limited, which trades as the Newt, according to Guardian analysis.
Bekker bought Hadspen House in 2013 and converted it into a luxury hotel; he later acquired Yarlington Lodge and turned it into a 32-guest property.
Residents have raised concerns about the estate’s expansion, pesticide use and commercial branding, including the addition of “for the Newt” to the Castle Cary station sign.
Some local people welcome the investment, saying it has improved the station, created jobs and brought visitors to local businesses.
The Newt has also consulted a rewilding expert about keeping five endangered red squirrels in a pen.
- Who
- Koos Bekker, the Newt, and residents and business owners in the Somerset area
- What
- Bekker’s estate expansion and its effects on local communities have prompted both criticism and support.
- When
- Bekker bought Hadspen House in 2013; the wider dispute is ongoing.
- Where
- Around Bruton and Castle Cary in Somerset, England
- Why
- The article links the tensions to the estate’s expansion, pesticide use and branding deals; Bekker’s reason for expanding is not stated.
Local critics
Supporters of the Newt’s investment
Expansion and influence
Local critics
Critics say the estate’s expansion and purchases of local businesses have allowed the Newt’s influence to extend into nearby villages.
Supporters of the Newt’s investment
Supporters say the investment has brought jobs and visitors who spend money at local restaurants and pubs.
Train station branding
Local critics
Food writer Hugh Thomas called the station renaming “arrogant and brazen” and said it felt like the public service was being encroached upon.
Supporters of the Newt’s investment
Some local people say the investment has cheered up a previously unloved station.
The station does feel somewhat colonised by the Newt regardless, which I find an encroaching thing, given it is supposed to be a public service.
arrogant and brazen
Bekker bought Hadspen House and 16 acres of land and converted the property into a luxury hotel.
Bekker acquired Yarlington Lodge, a Grade II-listed Georgian house, and converted it into a 32-guest property.
The Newt had acquired more than 2,700 acres around Bruton and Castle Cary, according to Guardian analysis.
- Estate area
- More than 2,700 acres (1,090 hectares), according to Guardian analysis
- Company
- Emily Estate (UK) Limited, trading as the Newt
- Bekker’s net worth
- About £3bn
- Yarlington Lodge
- Converted into a 32-guest property with a pool, tennis court and cinema room
- Red squirrels
- The Newt consulted an expert about keeping five red squirrels in a pen
Sources
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