Community News

October – December

Progress across the site continues as we move into autumn, with our delivery partners advancing work on several fronts. Following two well-attended community events in August, the Gravity team is now preparing to begin construction of the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES). Delivered by Montel Civil Engineering, the scheme will connect Puriton and Woolavington with a new multi-user, alongside traffic calming measures.

The cladding of the main building began at the start of the year and is now nearly complete. From here, work has started inside on the internal fit-out, beginning with the early mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, including the fire sprinkler system. The next stage will be creating the specialised temperature and humidity-controlled clean and dry rooms which are essential for battery production.   

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) have received confirmation for their plans from Somerset Council for the next stage of the project. The main construction phase began on Monday 5th October 2026. A Community Fund of £530,000 will support projects and programmes that benefit the local area. This Autumn, NGET will begin speaking with local people and organisations about local priorities and how the fund could be used. A formal consultation on the funding priorities is expected in early 2027. 

Gravity Site works

• Gravity has appointed Montel Civil Engineering as main contractor to deliver the Village Enhancement Scheme. Subject to completion of the Section 278 agreement with Somerset Council, works are due to begin in Q4 and are expected to take seven months, with the path set to open to the public in spring 2027. You can find more information about the VES here.
• Gravity has also appointed the contractor to deliver the replacement 37 Club, located in the in South West corner of the site. Construction will commence subject to the outcome of the Local Development Order Compliance Process.
• Progress is continuing with the goods-in and goods-out buildings, where the steel frames has now been constructed and cladding is underway. Principal contractor TSL have also installed a concrete batching plant on site, which is helping to speed up the installation of the ground-floor slab and reduce vehicle movements to and from the site. Cabling work between the sub-station and main building is ongoing.

Other matters

• The respective teams will continue to respond to enquiries – see contact details below

Contacts

• Gravity: info@thisisgravity.co.uk / 0207 160 0006
• Agratas: communityuk@agratas.com
• TSL: agratas.community@tslprojects.com
• NGET: woolavington@nationalgrid.com / 0800 593 0114

View this Look Ahead Notice as PDF here.

July – September

As we progress into the summer period, cladding works on Building One – the initial phase of Agratas’ wider facility – are advancing at pace, forming the external envelope of the structure. Cladding installation is also underway on the central utilities building, which will serve as the operational hub of the site, following completion of the steel framework.

National Grid continue their activities on site to prepare for the main construction phase. The temporary welfare compound provides access for their workers and visitors to the site. Engagement is being planned for the Autumn to seek local views on priorities for the £530,000 community fund.

The respective contractors for the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES) and the replacement 37 Club facilities have been appointed; separate communications will be issued confirming details during the summer.

Gravity Site works

• Gravity has appointed the contractor to deliver the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES). Subject to a S278 agreement, the works are expected to start in September and take six months to complete, with the path set to open to the public next spring.
• Gravity has also appointed the contractor to deliver the replacement 37 Club facilities, located in the in South West corner of the site. Subject to the outcome of the Local Development Order Compliance Process, construction will also start in September.
• In parallel, specialist drainage systems are being installed to effectively manage excess roof water from Agratas Building One, directing runoff into the Huntspill River. Aligned with its sustainability commitments, Agratas is also crushing and stockpiling excavated rock from across the site for reuse on other areas of the project – supporting efficient resource

Other matters

• The respective teams will continue to respond to enquiries – see contact details below

Contacts

• Gravity: info@thisisgravity.co.uk / 0207 160 0006
• Agratas: communityuk@agratas.com
• NGET: woolavington@nationalgrid.com / 0800 593 0114

Download the PDF of this notice here.

April – June

2026 continues to be the year when delivery can be seen in action. The progress on Agratas Building One moves at pace with the steel frame complete and installation of the cladding well underway. Agratas release regular footage of the construction site and updates can be seen here.

Similarly, our partners at National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) are making strong progress on the delivery of the new energy infrastructure, a vital component of the Gravity project.

As Building One continues to take shape, Agratas and their delivery partners Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) have installed new temporary offices and welfare facilities to provide a better working environment for the new employees working on the project. It is anticipated that the number of people working on the site will reach a peak during the course of this year and Agratas are working hard to ensure that the site is as welcoming as possible for its team, whilst causing the minimum impact for local residents.

Gravity Site works

• The Village Enhancement Scheme (VES) is on track to commence this Spring, works are expected to take six months, with the path set to open to the public later this year.
• Construction on the new 37 Club, located in the in South West corner of the site is set to commence in the summer.
• The steel frame of Agratas Building One has been completed and they have moved onto the roof and wall cladding installation. Work on Phase One of the Ring Road is still envisaged to begin soon, subject to compliance approval from Somerset Council. Meanwhile Agratas have launched a recruitment Register Your Interest campaign and held a series of public and school visits to the site in late March – thanks to all who attended.
• National Grid continue their activities on site to prepare for the main constriction phase. The temporary welfare compound provides access for their workers and visitors to the site. NGET has written to nearby residents ahead of upcoming piling works starting on 8th April and taking place for approximately one week. The piling works may generate some noise and dust which will be closely monitored. Subject to the outcome of the Local Development Order Compliance Process administered by Somerset Council, NGET hope to commence main construction of the Woolavington substation later this year. Once in construction the substation will take approximately three years to complete.

Other matters

• The respective teams will continue to respond to enquiries – see contact details below

Contacts

• Gravity: info@thisisgravity.co.uk / 0207 160 0006
• Agratas: communityuk@agratas.com
• NGET: woolavington@nationalgrid.com / 0800 073 1047
• SRM: agratas.community@srm.com / 0333 566 1122

January – March

2026 will see delivery partners continue to build on the momentum established in 2025. Agratas and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) will advance their respective elements of the project, marking significant milestones in the development.

Agratas will continue with the construction of Building One while installing new temporary offices to provide enhanced workspace and welfare facilities for its expanding team. This infrastructure investment will support the growing workforce as construction activity intensifies.

Gravity is preparing to deliver two important community-focused initiatives: the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES), which will connect Puriton and Woolavington via a dedicated pedestrian and cycling path, and ‘The 37’, a new facility designed to replace the outgoing 37 Club.

Gravity Site works

• Physical works to deliver the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES) will commence in Spring, works are expected to take six months, with the path set to open to the public in the autumn.
• Construction on the new 37 Club, located in the in South West corner of the site is due to commence in the Spring.
• The steel frame of Agratas Building One is largely complete with cladding for the walls and roof underway soon. Concrete work to create the floor of the building will start in April. Steel work continues for the ancillary buildings that will support manufacturing in Building One, including the waste facility, storage and goods in/out. Work on Phase One of the Ring Road is also due to begin soon, subject to compliance approval from Somerset Council.
• NGET are continuing to undertake several activities on site, under their early works programme. They have established a temporary construction compound, including welfare units and parking for workers. Subject to the outcome of the Local Development Order Compliance Process administered by Somerset Council, NGET aim to commence main construction of the Woolavington substation later this year. NGET will share updates with local residents ahead of starting the main construction phase. Once in construction the substation will take approximately three years to complete.

Other matters

• The respective teams will continue to respond to enquiries – see contact details below

Contacts

• Gravity: info@thisisgravity.co.uk / 0207 160 0006
• Agratas: communityuk@agratas.com
• NGET: woolavington@nationalgrid.com / 0800 073 1047
• SRM: agratas.community@srm.com / 0333 566 1122

October – December

As we move into Autumn, activity across the delivery partners on site will continue at pace. Following the installation of necessary utilities for Gravity and Agratas, Woolavington Road reopened to the public on time in late August. We would like to thank the local community for their patience.

Since Agratas commenced development under the LDO in the summer, over 4,000 tonnes of steel have been erected, and Building One is taking shape. See Agratas’ latest construction update video on Building One here.

Balfour Beatty are undertaking early site setup works associated with the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) substation. This includes the setup of a temporary construction compound adjacent to Woolavington Road. The substation provides a vital grid connection point for Agratas and the wider Gravity development. The associated Local Development Order compliance submission for the Woolavington substation is now expected to be submitted to Somerset Council in Q4.

Gravity Site works

• Onsite works to divert the existing mains gas supply are progressing and will be completed imminently.
• Stantec on behalf of This is Gravity and Agratas are coordinating the installation of five air quality sensors, these are due to be installed on Thursday 30th October. This programme forms part of the approved Local Development Order for the Gravity site. Further details can be found here.
• This is Gravity are expecting to initiate the works to deliver the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES) in Q4. Physical works will commence in Q1, 2026. Completion of these works will see Puriton and Woolavington connected by a pedestrian/cycle path, as well as traffic calming measures introduced in both villages.
• Agratas has now received planning consent for the amendments to Building One. The application for Phase One of the Ring Road has been submitted to the council, with work expected to start early in 2026. Groundwork continues across the site, including on the platform for the new NGET substation.
• Since the beginning of September, Balfour Beatty have been undertaking early works, establishing a temporary construction compound and welfare area off Woolavington Road. From late October, NGET will be carrying out further early works, laying foundations for the gantries situated underneath the existing overhead lines. NGET’s main construction works are currently programmed to start in the New Year, subject to the Local Development Order Compliance Process.

Other matters

• The respective teams will continue to respond to enquiries – see contact details below

Contacts

• Gravity: info@thisisgravity.co.uk / 0207 160 0006
• Agratas: communityuk@agratas.com
• NGET: woolavington@nationalgrid.com / 0800 073 1047
• SRM: agratas.community@srm.com / 0333 566 1122

This notice can be downloaded as a PDF here.

July – September

As we move into summer, activity across Gravity’s delivery partners has ramped up. A key milestone was reached in late June, when construction officially commenced under the Local Development Order (LDO), marked by the first steel deliveries for Agratas’ Building One structure.

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has progressed its early works, completing a temporary compound and platform base that will enable the delivery of its substation. Meanwhile, delivery partners are working towards a coordinated dust suppression strategy in anticipation of continued dry weather.

LDO compliance submissions have been submitted by This is Gravity Ltd for the new leisure facilities that will replace the 37 Club, and by Agratas for the revised Building One. The next LDO compliance submissions are expected for NGET’s substation and the first phase of the internal ring road.

Gravity Site works

• Works to connect the site to essential utilities are progressing on schedule. The electricity connection work is now complete, and the next phase has started. This will be focused on the gas connection work to be carried out by Wales and West Utilities on behalf of This is Gravity. The closure of Woolavington Road is expected to continue until late August. Community questions during these phases should be directed to the Wales & West Utilities contact listed below.
• Agratas and SRM have had extended working hours for steel related works agreed subject to a Section 61. Until December 2025 working hours will be; Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 19:00, Saturday: 07:00 – 18:00 and Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00. Click here to read about the measures to be taken to mitigate the impacts of the extended working hours. Community queries on this should be directed to the construction team via the SRM contact details listed below.
• The formal completion and adoption of Enterprise Way by Somerset Council is under discussion between Gravity, Alun Griffiths and Somerset Council. Subject to agreement to carry-over remaining defects to the defect liability period, the completion certificate can be issued. Following the re-opining of Woolavington Road, works will then start on theVillage Enhancement Scheme (VES), which includes a pedestrian and cycle path connecting Purtion and Woolavington and traffic calming measures.

Other matters

• Upcoming LDO compliance submissions include the NGET substation and the first phase of the internal ring road.
• The respective teams will continue to support and respond to enquiries – contact details are found below.

Contacts

• Gravity: info@thisisgravity.co.uk / 0207 160 0006
• Agratas: communityuk@agratas.com
• NGET: woolavington@nationalgrid.com / 0800 073 1047
• SRM: agratas.community@srm.com / 0333 566 1122
• Wales & West Utilities: Peter Withecombe – 07779878887

View and download the PDF version here.