Billionaire's 'Alien' Dome Sparks Outcry in Somerset Countryside
Resembling an extraterrestrial spacecraft, a proposed colossal dome has ignited a fierce backlash among locals in the serene Somerset countryside. South African tech billionaire Koos Bekker is at the centre of the controversy, with his plans to erect a so-called 'succulent ecosphere' on the grounds of his exclusive retreat, The Newt, near the village of Shepton Montague.
Local Fury Over Landscape Blight
Neighbours are up in arms, describing the structure as a massive eyesore that would mar the verdant setting. One disgruntled couple lodged a formal complaint with Somerset Council, stating, 'It would be a huge blot on the landscape.' Another resident echoed this sentiment, muttering, 'I don't want no domes.' A Castle Cary local questioned the necessity, asking, 'Why do we need the domes so close? Why do the poor residents of Shepton Montague have to put up with them?'
Ecological Concerns and Planning Hurdles
The project has also drawn criticism from Somerset Council's own ecology service, which raised alarms over the potential loss of ancient woodland and priority habitats. In a critical letter to the planning department, officials stated, 'I cannot see any justification for their loss.' This adds a significant regulatory hurdle to Bekker's vision, which aims to house a collection of succulent plants from his South African homeland.
Bekker's Horticultural Passion and Local Tensions
An investment and internet tycoon, Bekker and his wife Karen Roos, a former editor of Elle Decoration South Africa, are renowned champions of flora. The Newt, where rooms start at £900 per night, served as the headline sponsor of the Chelsea Flower Show from 2022 until last year, showcasing South African succulents that captivated visitors. However, local tensions persist. In 2024, Bekker opened an upscale cafe at Castle Cary station, but it faced backlash for high prices, such as £8.40 for a bacon butty and tea, with locals lambasting it as 'too gentrified.'
Celebrity Updates: From Tudor Drama to Champagne Revelry
In other news, Margot Robbie is producing a new play titled 1536, set in Tudor England, which transfers to the West End's Ambassadors Theatre in May after a sell-out run at the Almeida in Islington. The play, described by Robbie as 'fearless and witty,' focuses on three women in Essex affected by rumours from Henry VIII's court. Meanwhile, Dame Jilly Cooper's love for champagne was recalled by actress Katherine Parkinson at the Royal Television Society Awards, who noted that on set, 'by 11 the champagne would be flowing.' Parkinson also hinted at more scenes with Danny Dyer in the next series of Rivals.
Star Sightings and Fashion Statements
Sir Ian McKellen, 86, recently shared a promotional image for his upcoming film The Christophers, sporting a beret and sipping fizz, a departure from his Gandalf robes. Celebrity spottings included Marisa Abela with her husband in London, Jessie Buckley with her pram in Hackney, James Norton at the Duke of York's Theatre, Paul Mescal in Dalston, and Harris Dickinson on a London train.
