Community News

Partners discuss how Gravity will kickstart a green economy      

Gravity’s role in driving the UK’s transition to a zero-carbon economy was among the key topics discussed at the project’s latest Delivery Group meeting on 20 April.

The Delivery Group, which includes local and national partners, has been set up to facilitate the delivery of Gravity as an Enterprise Zone and the UK’s first smart campus and community. The group is meeting monthly as Gravity progresses with fresh plans to create 4,000 jobs and attract international investment into the UK at the site between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington.

In his presentation, Jonathan Riggall, Director at Stantec, gave an overview of Gravity’s clean and inclusive growth strategy. He explained how the project aims to be a catalyst for regional change and innovation, creating high-value jobs in ‘future-proof’ sectors such as advanced manufacturing, robotics and R&D. Jonathan also talked about the project’s wider role within the government’s ten-point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’.

Upskilling and meeting businesses’ needs

Sam Harper, Senior Associate Planner at Stantec, gave an update on the plans to deliver the project.

Sam also explained the need for Gravity to compete on an international stage to attract the most innovative, clean growth companies. He said that a key part of Gravity’s offering would be its access to, and development of, local and national talent.  

Sam outlined how the project is forming partnerships with organisations such as the University of Bristol and Bridgwater and Taunton College (BTC) to further enhance local and regional talent pools and showcase new training and career opportunities. Sam said Hinkley Point C, the largest construction project in Europe, was a testament the region’s potential to deliver, and resource, largescale projects.

A healthy and inclusive community
Other matters discussed at the session included emerging plans for how the site will include leisure and amenity space and integrate with its surrounding natural environment. The vision is to ensure that the people who live and work at Gravity, as well as the local communities, have access to green, active, and healthy space.

A community webinar was held on the topic of a green economy on 21 April. The third in a series of webinars to explain Gravity’s ambitions gave people the opportunity to understand the benefits the plans could help the UK to unlock. 

Gravity will hold a fourth webinar on the subject of creating a smart community on 26 May, which is open to all members of the community and local businesses. Anyone who’s interested in joining us and feeding in your ideas about how Gravity can support the creation of a smart and connected community, can register. You can download the slides here that were shared at the last Delivery Group meeting

Partners discuss Social Value programme for Gravity     

Plans for Gravity to collaborate with two educational charities as part of its social value programme were shared at the project’s latest Delivery Group meeting on 24 March.

Gravity’s social value programme is part of our commitment to create lasting benefits for the communities where we are based. Social value refers to the positive difference we are making locally. 

Bounce Forward, a charity dedicated to teaching young people resilience as a life skill, and the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE), which aims to inspire young people to rethink the way we design and build homes, will work with Gravity to engage local young people with the project.

The Delivery Group, which includes local and national partners, has been set up to facilitate the delivery of Gravity as an Enterprise Zone and the UK’s first smart campus and community. The group is meeting regularly as Gravity progresses with fresh plans to create 4,000 jobs and attract international investment into the UK at the site between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington.

Bounce Forward and MOBIE both gave presentations explaining how their aims align with Gravity’s vision of inspiring young people to get involved in shaping the places they live. Claire Pearce, Director of Planning and Economic Development at Gravity, said the charities’ collaboration with Gravity underlined ‘the project’s genuine commitment to creating social value and working with individuals to build skills, raise ambitions, and showcase training and career opportunities’.

A healthy and inclusive community

Other matters discussed at the session included emerging plans for how the site will integrate with its surrounding natural environment, ensuring that the people who live and work here, as well as the local communities, have access to green space. Being a ‘healthy place’ that supports people’s wellbeing is a key part of Gravity’s vision.

Progress to build the new link road, which is nearing completion, the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment and development of low carbon infrastructure and energy strategies for Gravity were also presented.

Gravity will hold a third webinar on the subject of kickstarting a green recovery on 21 April, which is open to all members of the community and local businesses. Anyone who’s interested in joining us, and feeding in your ideas about how Gravity can support the UK’s shift towards a zero-carbon economy, can register here.

You can download the slides that were shared at the last Delivery Group meeting here.

Partners discuss possibilities for Gravity site   

Emerging principles that will shape Gravity’s future as a place for businesses to invest and create thousands of high value jobs have been shared with partners.

Technical diagrams setting out how different parts of the site could be used to create a sustainable, smart campus were discussed at the latest Gravity Delivery Group meeting on 24 February.

The group, which contains local and national partners, has been set up to facilitate the delivery of Gravity as an Enterprise Zone and internationally renowned smart campus.

They are meeting regularly as Gravity progresses with fresh plans in a Local Development Order to create 4,000 jobs and attract international investment into the UK at the former Royal Ordnance Factory site.

A connected community

Other matters discussed at the session included the emerging plans to make the site well connected and accessible for people who live and work there – a key part of Gravity’s sustainability ambitions. In addition to the link road which is progressing well, Gravity aims to provide smart transport connections that minimise carbon emissions. A restored rail service, bus services and support for electric and autonomous vehicles as well as micro mobility (e-bikes and scooters) and safe leisure routes for walking, cycling and horse riding, all form part of this overall ambition.

We will hold another webinar on the subject of connectivity on March 17, which is open to all members of the community and local businesses. Anyone who’s interested in joining us and feeding in your ideas about the future of work and transport, and mobility choices in the locality can sign up here.

You can also download the slides that were shared at the last Delivery Group meeting here.