Gravity are delighted that the Government has announced a portfolio of investment zones in the Growth Plan 2022, naming our strategic site as a destination for economic growth in the UK.
Gravity is a 616 acre enterprise zone in Somerset and is a strategic destination for international investment in the UK, and is at the forefront of enabling an accelerated response to tackling climate change. The Gravity site is in a ‘ready state’ and is primed for a rapid response. The ambition is tohost large-scale advanced manufacturing – a gigafactory – creating up to 7,500 higher-value jobs and supply chain opportunities for businesses across the South West.
This strategic refocus on enterprise zones and their modernisation with ‘freeport thinking’ is exactly what is needed to attract international business and transformational investment into the UK to create a forward-facing and clean economy. Somerset and Sedgemoor District have been a key pioneer in economic development and delivery and we are excited about responding to this new opportunity to deliver a new clean growth revolution.
The adoption of the Gravity Local Development Order has enabled us to provide the flexibility to host 1.1 million square metres of commercial floorspace, as well as accommodating up to 750 homes for the workforce. We are working collaboratively with potential occupiers and Bridgwater and Taunton College on plans to create a talent to meet occupier needs.
Martin Bellamy, Chairman at This is Gravity & Salamanca Group, said “This announcement is of great significance to the UK. It demonstrates the economic reality that the UK must be highly competitive in a global market place to thrive and progress. We are immensely proud that Gravity will play a leading role in the UK’s transition towards a clean growth economy.”
Tom Curtis, Co-CEO at This is Gravity, added “This Growth Plan supports our approach to the site, ensuring its readiness for large-scale advanced manufacturing operators. Since site acquisition in 2017, our team has worked diligently to anticipate the needs of a global operator. Gravity has prepared solutions for energy, water, inter-modal transport, planning and telecoms, creating the UK’s largest shovel-ready site.”
Claire Pearce, Director – Planning & Economic Development at Salamanca Group and This is Gravity, added “This announcement marks a transformational step change in the UK’s economic growth plans and aligns with the Gravity smart campus ambition to create 7,500 higher value jobs in a future-facing industry at the heart of the South West. We are delighted with the focus on delivery and stand ready to work with Government to turn plans into action on the ground’.
About Gravity
Gravity will be the UK’s first commercial smart campus and a blueprint for a ‘cleaner’, smarter future. It aims to attract the world’s most innovative companies working in the ‘clean growth’ sectors.
Expected to create up to 7,500 jobs, the 616-acre Enterprise Zone will be designed to shape connections between people and the places they work, supporting a culture of innovation and wellbeing. It will include diverse, flexible workspaces and resilient technologies along with enhanced transport links to, and within, the surrounding area.
