Harry Potter star Rupert Grint's £3.5m Somerset home to be neighboured by 2,000 new homes

Rupert Grint, known around the world as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, is facing a more Muggle-based problems at his new house - plans for 2,000 new homes on his doorstep. The star is understood to have bought a £3.5 million home in the Somerset countryside which is bordered by a site earmarked for development, bringing him thousands of new neighbours.

In the town of Frome, the 11-bedroom, grade II-listed property was previously owned by artist Pearl Lowe and Supergrass/Babyshambles drummer, Dany Goffey, who put it on the market last year. It is understood 37-year-old Grint snapped up the home, with the full plans for the development revealed months later, although the site was already subject to planning.

Developers Barwood Land have applied to build 360 houses nearby, with a 1,700-home development in the pipeline. The proposed Selwood Garden Community was the subject of a public inquiry last summer and a decision is due next month.

Both projects have sparked fury among some locals, with protest posters on lamp-posts near Grint’s home warning of a “traffic disaster”. Resident Nicola Green, 62, said: "I would prefer Brownfield sites before they build on rural, agricultural land.

"They need doctors, dentists, schools and facilities, more road networks. The infrastructure will have to be developed. I'm not opposed to affordable housing but I would like them to build it on brownfield sites. And not to build in flood planes. I'm very concerned about wildlife and enough rural land to feed people.”

June Hickey, 76, said: "I do not think the fact there is no infrastructure, extra schools, doctors dentists and all the support is come with it. Affordable houses which a lot of people can't afford, what they used to call social houses. People cannot afford to buy. Youngsters can't, it's really terrible.

"There's not the jobs here really, unless you live in Bath. My main thing is there's no infrastructure and it's not affordable for the average person. It's not possible."

Sandra Kirk, 66, who lives in house opposite to where 360 new homes will be built: added: "I'm not happy. It's going to be dangerous, hazardous, there will be more traffic. There's a Tesco and school down the road and people will use this as a short cut, cause more traffic. The junction is busy as it is.

"There will be more pollution and cars, this little lane is not really functional for traffic, especially at weekends with rugby - it gets really busy. It'll just be really dangerous. I'm quite happy with cows being our neighbours. I didn't know Rupert Grint had moved in nearby, wouldn't know him if he walked past me.

"It's dangerous more than anything else, all for wildlife as well. I've lived here 38 years and lots of houses have gone, it's had a big impact. I am sure it will go ahead anyway, no matter what people say, we can't do much about it."

David Hoare, 64, said: "The closure of the lane is ridiculous. HGVs trying to force them through urban development, madness.

"Usual thing of doctors surgeries, where's it all going to come from? It's all conceived just for profit. They've not thought through the traffic and roads."

Felicity Jones, 82, said: "It's an absolute nightmare, it's already chocablock on a Sunday when there's a rugby match. I don't think it's necessary, they're not providing extra facilities, it's going to create a lot of traffic, accidents will be more likely.

"It takes up green space, especially bad for wildlife and other people's wellbeing. I understand the need for housing but we cannot cover the country with concrete.

"They added another 30 houses, the place is getting over populated. It will be jam packed with cars and it was not clear what they intended to do. By the time they build it I will be pushing up the daisies but I have to stand up for wildlife."

In November 2024, Grint was granted permission to build on green belt land in Hertfordshire.