A celebrity countryside retreat renowned for its eco-friendly image has sparked outrage after it emerged that its management uses a controversial weedkiller across its thousands of acres of farmland and orchards. The Newt in Somerset, where cabins cost £1,000 a night, has hosted stars such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kate Moss, and Dame Judi Dench, drawn by its carefully cultivated reputation as an eco-paradise.
Petition Against Glyphosate Use
Hundreds of locals and campaigners have signed a petition calling for the management to stop using glyphosate, a pesticide widely associated with cancer, liver disease, and dementia in humans, as well as harming bee populations and soil health. Owned by South African tech billionaire Koos Bekker and his wife Karen Roos, the estate's four restaurants advertise organic, farm-to-table menus. However, critics say that behind the glossy marketing, the controversial chemicals are being used to maintain its farmland and 30 acres of manicured gardens.
Allegations of Intensive Farming
A source told The Mail on Sunday: "The issue is that The Newt is intent on farming its big landholding intensively, even though it's not very good farmland, and so they're soaking it in chemicals, stripping away nature and space for wildlife, and imposing harsh drainage across the land which is causing dangerous localised flooding." The source added, "There's simply no space for nature on that huge farm. What is The Newt for, if not to be a place of refuge for guests looking to spend quality time in nature?"
The petition, backed by actress Gabriella Wilde, stepsister of Cressida Bonas, has attracted over 600 signatures since being created over a week ago. Wilde told The MoS: "We are fans of The Newt - it's amazing what has been done. But I was surprised and a little disappointed to learn via this petition that they are using such harmful chemicals in their farming operations." Environmental campaigner Ben Goldsmith added that while The Newt was "marvellous" for the area, the proprietors could "make a little more space for wildlife on their extended farmland."
Estate's Response
The Newt's head gardener, Harry Baldwin, said: "The Newt very rarely resorts to herbicides across the gardens, limiting their use to key gravelled spaces to maintain safe and accessible public areas. We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and mainly rely on alternative methods to avoid excessive herbicide usage." Farm manager Cameron Knee added that glyphosates are used "once a year," timed to avoid main bee activity periods, and buffer strips are used to reduce cross-contamination with water. He noted that only 27% of the estate, its arable land, receives plant protection product applications.
The controversy follows tensions with locals after devastating flash floods in 2023, which residents blamed on drainage systems linked to the estate. Since then, The Newt has worked with local authorities on measures to "slow the flow" of water across the landscape.
