Market Engagement Event for Water Infrastructure Draws Strong Interest

Paul Lowndes welcoming attendees

This is Gravity and Agratas welcomed a strong turnout at a Market Engagement Event, held at The 37 Club.

The event was convened to explore the procurement of a Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Provider for the 616-acre Gravity Smart Campus — an opportunity to be procured under the Ofwat NAV regulated procedure.

Organisers from both Gravity and Agratas expressed their delight at the level of interest shown by attendees, which included NAVs and supply chain partners from across the sector. All those who attended were thanked for their time and for engaging so constructively ahead of formal procurement.

The procurement will cover the design, build, financing, ownership and operation of integrated water and wastewater assets across the site, including greywater reuse as part of a whole-campus water strategy aimed at reducing carbon footprint and advancing on-site sustainability in line with the site’s Local Development Order commitments.

About Gravity

Gravity is the UK’s first strategic commercial smart campus and a blueprint for a ‘cleaner’, smarter future. Anchored by the 40 GWh Agratas battery manufacturing facility, the campus is now the catalyst for economic transformation across the South West. Delivering the Gravity campus will support the wider efforts towards transport decarbonisation as well as the UK’s acceleration progress on electrification.

Our site is at the heart of an ideal ecosystem and is the platform of choice to stimulate home-grown advanced battery manufacturing, it offers unrivalled connectivity, planning flexibility and access to world-class assets and talent pool with expertise in innovation and clean growth. Underpinning the ability to serve a multitude of customers across sectors in the transition to a net zero economy.

New footage shows impressive progress at Agratas’ Somerset battery facility

Gravity’s primary site occupier, Agratas, has shared dramatic aerial footage capturing construction progress at its battery manufacturing facility in Bridgwater, Somerset.

The multi-billion-pound project is set to be the biggest of its kind in the UK and will play a pivotal role in advancing clean technology and sustainable energy, producing battery cells destined for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions. 

The footage shows the latest developments made at the 308-acre site – located just off junction 23 of the M5 motorway – and in the first construction phase of the complex project, referred to as ‘Building One’.

Recent progress includes the start of work on multiple floor levels, with 3,000 tonnes of locally-supplied concrete having been poured to date, to build lower and mezzanine floor decks.

The steel framework for a 100-metre-long central utilities building has also started to take shape. The separate structure will eventually host the facility’s management system – a control system to monitor and manage important functions like the data and power supply to the building when it becomes operational.

As construction ramps up, there are now 450 people based on site, working both directly for Agratas and indirectly through its supply chain and construction delivery partner Sir Robert McAlpine. Construction of the first manufacturing building alone will support more than 2,200 direct jobs and around 7,500 jobs in the supply chain, for the duration of the build.

Read the full Agratas press release here.

Gravity received ‘Highly Commended’ accolade at Property Week 2025 Awards

Gravity recognised as ‘highly commended’ at Property Week 2025 Awards

Following its shortlisting for ‘Deal of the Year – Industrial & Logistics’ in May, Gravity is proud to share that it was named runner-up and received a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade at the annual Property Week Property Awards.

On 1 July 2025, over 1,000 professionals including developers, investors, entrepreneurs, financiers, and agencies gathered for Property Week’s annual Property Awards at Grosvenor House, London, for an evening of celebration. The event honoured thirty-three winners recognised for their excellence, dedication, innovation, and impact in shaping the future of the industry.

The Gravity team extends its congratulations to Tritax Big Box, the winners of the ‘Deal of the Year – Industrial & Logistics’ category and to all of the other award winners celebrated at the event.

Gravity Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Tom Curtis, commented: “The Gravity team is proud to have been recognised by its industry peers. We are working closely with Agratas, National Grid and Somerset Council to deliver the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility.”

Judges comments: “A landmark deal, unlocking £4bn of green investment and securing Europe’s largest battery manufacturer for the UK. This transformative project marks the biggest automotive investment since Nissan in the 1980s — a powerful example of strategic vision and impact”

  • The full list of the winners from the night can be found here.

About Gravity

Gravity is the UK’s first strategic commercial smart campus and a blueprint for a ‘cleaner’, smarter future. Anchored by the 40 GWh Agratas battery manufacturing facility, the campus is now the catalyst for economic transformation across the South West. Delivering the Gravity campus will support the wider efforts towards transport decarbonisation as well as the UK’s acceleration progress on electrification.

Our site is at the heart of an ideal ecosystem and is the platform of choice to stimulate home-grown advanced battery manufacturing, it offers unrivalled connectivity, planning flexibility and access to world-class assets and talent pool with expertise in innovation and clean growth. Underpinning the ability to serve a multitude of customers across sectors in the transition to a net zero economy.

Major milestone reached at Gravity with steel frames in place for Agratas development

Major milestone reached at Gravity with steel frames in place on Agratas development

Gravity is proud to share that construction on site has officially commenced under the Local Development Order (LDO).

The first steel frames on the Agratas site near Bridgwater, Somerset are now in place, marking a major milestone in the construction of the UK’s flagship battery manufacturing facility.

It marks the start of the next phase of construction, the vertical build, and is a visible step forward in the delivery of the facility. The steel structure will be erected in phases, with the build beginning at the north of the site.

It follows significant progress on site in recent weeks: approximately 17,000 piles are now in the ground, forming the solid foundations required to support the scale and ambition of the project. Piling for Building One, which will form the first phase of the facility, will be completed by the end of June. As activity on site continues to ramp up, additional cabins have also been delivered to accommodate the growing construction teams working to bring the facility to life.

Read the full Agratas press release here.

For more information on this milestone and wider site activity please read our Q3 2025 Look Ahead notice.

Gravity shortlisted for Property Week 2025 Property Award

Gravity shortlisted for Property Week 2025 Property Award

Gravity is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for the 2025 Property Week Awards in the ‘Deal of the Year: Industrial and Logistics’ category. The award shortlisting reflects the sale of 308 acres of the Gravity Enterprise Zone to Agratas, Tata Group’s battery subsidiary.

The deal provided Agratas with the land, connectivity and access to power to develop the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility, representing a £4bn investment, creating up to 4,000 on-site jobs and many more thousands in the supply chain.

This shortlisting follows Gravity’s win at the Insider South West Property Awards 2024, securing the title of ‘Property Deal of the Year’.

Tom Curtis, Gravity Co-Founder & Co-CEO, commented: “This shortlisting vindicates all the hard work that the home team have put into this extraordinary project. We are proud  to be shortlisted alongside other great projects and look forward to the award ceremony.” 

Martin Belammy, Gravity Chairman and Co-CEO, commented: “We welcome the shortlisting by Property Week for this prestigious award and are proud to be nominated alongside other transformational opportunities.”

The award ceremony will take place on 1st July at Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Click here to view the 2025 finalists. 

About Gravity

Gravity is the UK’s first strategic commercial smart campus and a blueprint for a ‘cleaner’, smarter future. Anchored by the 40 GWh Agratas Gigafactory, the campus is now the catalyst for economic transformation across the South West. Delivering the Gravity campus will support the wider efforts towards transport decarbonisation as well as the UK’s acceleration progress on electrification.

Our site is at the heart of an ideal ecosystem and is the platform of choice to stimulate home-grown advanced battery manufacturing, it offers unrivalled connectivity, planning flexibility and access to world-class assets and talent pool with expertise in innovation and clean growth. Underpinning the ability to serve a multitude of customers across sectors in the transition to a net zero economy.

Gravity’s Programme Director attends ‘Opportunity Somerset’ roundtable

Gravity’s Programme Director attends ‘Opportunity Somerset’ roundtable

On January 23rd 2025, Gravity’s Programme Director, Paul Lowndes, joined a roundtable hosted by Insider Media. This series of events brings together business leaders and policymakers to discuss Somerset’s future as a hub for clean growth and economic opportunity.

The Opportunity Somerset roundtable is a platform to explore how the region can continue to attract investment, foster innovation, and drive sustainability across industries.

Panellists involved;

  • Harry Singer, Chair, Somerset Growth Board
  • Andrew Cockcroft, Head of Stakeholder Relationships and Social Impact, EDF UK
  • Emma Warren, Chair, Somerset Chamber
  • Dave Beaumont, Growth Consultant and Board member, Stephens Scown
  • Nick Hancock, Finance Director, Somerset Larder
  • Stephen Wray, Lead Partner, Somerset, Stephens Scown

Paul Lowndes at the event commented; “I have great confidence in the future of Somerset, and the Great South West as a wider region. There’s a magnet effect of having Hinkley Point C and Gravity and everything that Somerset has done to bring those two huge projects here. We have more attention within the greater South West than we’ve ever had before. There is huge support for those two projects”

To learn more about the Opportunity Somerset roundtable, visit the full article on Insider Media: www.insidermedia.com/roundtables/opportunity-somerset

Gravity wins South West Property Deal of the Year at Insider Awards 2024

Gravity wins at the Insider South West Property Awards 2024, securing the title of 'Property Deal of the Year'.

Bristol, October 10, 2024 – Gravity is thrilled to announce its win at the Insider South West Property Awards 2024, securing the title of ‘Property Deal of the Year’. The event, held in Bristol, recognised the most significant property transactions in the region.

Gravity’s landmark sale of a significant proportion of the site to Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business, stood out among other notable regional deals. This milestone transaction underscores Gravity’s commitment to deliver on its vision of creating a modern employment hub underpinned by clean growth sectors.

Martin Bellmay, Gravity Chairman, commented: “The Agratas deal is truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we extend our thanks to everyone who has supported our vision to reach this milestone. The delivery of this gigafactory is just the start for Gravity as we shift into project delivery.

About Gravity

Gravity is the UK’s first strategic commercial smart campus and a blueprint for a ‘cleaner’, smarter future. Anchored by the 40Gwh Agratas Gigafactory, the campus is now the catalyst for economic transformation across the South West. Delivering the Gravity campus will support the wider efforts towards transport decarbonisation as well as the UK’s acceleration progress on electrification.

Our site is at the heart of an ideal ecosystem and is the platform of choice to stimulate home-grown advanced battery manufacturing, it offers unrivalled connectivity, planning flexibility and access to world-class assets and talent pool with expertise in innovation and clean growth. Underpinning the ability to serve a multitude of customers across sectors in the transition to a net zero economy.

Gravity shortlisted for regional property awards

The Gravity team is proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for Insider Media’s South West Property Awards. This follows the confirmed sale of a 307-acre site to Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business. This deal, set to deliver the largest gigafactory in the UK, has been nominated for the ‘Property Deal of the Year’ category.

Gravity joins a group of significant real estate projects from across the region, including:

  • Sale of 228,577 sq. ft former Curver Premises to local investor 59 Cardrew Limited, Redruth, Cornwall (Alder King, Lyons Davidson, Murrell Associates)
  • Sale of 2-16 Clifton Down Road to Speare Developments, Bristol (Lambert Smith Hampton, THAT Group, Speare Developments, Burston Cook, Denton’s, VWV)
  • Letting of 113,573 sq. ft building to EVRi, Bristol (Trebor Developments, Hillwood, Colliers, CBRE, Lambert Smith Hampton)
  • Advising Plymouth City Council on the UK’s first Habitat Banking Vehicle, Devon (Freeths, Plymouth City Council Legal Team, Finance Earth)
  • Driving the land deal to move Boxworks to Brabazon, Bristol (YTL Developments, Forward Space, Aerospace Bristol)

Award Details
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2024
Location: Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre
Tickets available here

About Gravity

Gravity is the UK’s first strategic commercial smart campus and a blueprint for a ‘cleaner’, smarter future. Anchored by the 40Gwh Agratas Gigafactory, the campus is now the catalyst for economic transformation across the South West. Delivering the Gravity campus will support the wider efforts towards transport decarbonisation as well as the UK’s acceleration progress on electrification.

Our site is at the heart of an ideal ecosystem and is the platform of choice to stimulate home-grown advanced battery manufacturing, it offers unrivalled connectivity, planning flexibility and access to world-class assets and talent pool with expertise in innovation and clean growth. Underpinning the ability to serve a multitude of customers across sectors in the transition to a net zero economy.

Gravity’s LDO highlighted in CBI Report

This is Gravity Limited is proud to be featured as a case study in the CBI’s “Planning for Growth” report, which recommends strategies for driving investment through planning reform and infrastructure delivery.

Gravity was showcased for implementing its Local Development Order (LDO). This critical planning tool has attracted significant international investment, including £4bn by Tata Sons to deliver the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility.

The report emphasises the need for a cohesive national planning strategy, enhanced resources for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), and prioritisation of strategic planning to support infrastructure and housing through tools like LDOs.

The case study demonstrates how Gravity’s approach aligns with the government’s objectives to streamline planning processes and foster sustainable economic growth across the UK.

For more details, please visit the full report on the CBI’s website.

Gravity welcomes Stuart Houlet to the to the Team

This is Gravity (TIGL) are pleased to share the announcement that Stuart Houlet MRTPI, Associate Director at PCL Planning has joined Gravity to provide a Head of Planning Services role, focussed on facilitating the delivery of the planning objectives for the Gravity Project and in particular supporting the implementation of the Gravity Local Development Order (LDO).

Stuart brings a wealth of experience following a successful 25-year planning and management career in local government, including substantial planning policy, development management and major project experience. He led Sedgemoor District Council’s Planning Team for 10 years as Development Manager and subsequently Assistant Director. Whilst at Sedgemoor he was the Council’s planning lead on both the Gravity and Hinkley Point C projects.

Working closely with Claire Pearce and the core Gravity team, Stuart will be responsible for a range of planning tasks including oversight for LDO compliance matters, preparation and co-ordination of compliance applications and providing advice on planning process and procedures.

Claire Pearce, Director of Planning and Economic Development commentedPersonally and professionally I am delighted that Stuart is able to join us on the Gravity journey. His expertise and knowledge will be a key asset and his ability to engage with stakeholders and partners to address challenges and shape solutions’ is immensely valuable as we shift into delivery mode.

Stuart Houlet advsied: “I am very excited to be able to support the Gravity team on such a significant project for the local area and wider UK and its clear transformational benefits in supporting clean and inclusive growth, decarbonisation and the climate change agenda. Having been involved in the site since 2007 in my previous Council role and seeing the project evolve, this is a fantastic opportunity to continue my involvement through its implementation and to support its delivery.  

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