Look Ahead

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.

April – June

The new Enterprise Way site access opened during Q1, while the former site entrance will still be used as needed. In early April, community consultation events were held regarding the proposed ring road, amendments to Building One and the NGET substation.

To connect the site to essential utilities, sections of Woolavington Road (between Enterprise Way and Woolavington Village) will be closed in phases, starting April 14th and lasting up to five months. Somerset Council will share finalised details on which parts will be closed when. All residents and businesses on Woolavington Road will have access to their properties throughout the closures.
Click here for more information.

Gravity Site works

• TIG contractors are monitoring the landscaping on the link road (Enterprise Way) and replacing, as necessary until completion is formally signed off.
• Substructures for the first phase of the build are now complete, and a subcontractor has been selected for the structural steel with initial order placed, targeting June 2025 commencement on site.
• The formal completion and adoption of Enterprise Way by Somerset Council is expected after snagging has been completed by the contractor. Works will then start on the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES), which includes a pedestrian and cycle path connecting Purtion and Woolavington and traffic calming measures.
• National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) was also present at the April community consultation sessions to discuss plans for their proposed substation, which will power the Agratas facility and wider parts of the Gravity Smart Campus.
• Site preparation and early works will continue, including material import and management.
• Work to recycle site material will continue.

Other matters

• Formal governance arrangements required under the LDO with the Council and other partners are now in place.
• Enquiries- the respective teams will continue to support and respond to enquiries.

Contact Gravity

• Newsletter: Click here to subscribe
• Email: info@thisisgravity.co.uk

Contact Agratas

• Email: communityuk@agratas.net
• WhatsApp Channel

Contact Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM)

• Email: agratas.community@srm.com

View and download the PDF version here.

January – March

Following Somerset Council’s approval of the site’s first major building through the Local Development Order (LDO) compliance process, on-site activity will increase. 2025 will see the commencement of construction of the first battery cell manufacturing facility ‘Building One’.

This is Gravity (TIG) continues to support the delivery of the battery cell manufacturing facility and the development of site infrastructure and wider campus amenities. TIG is also in discussions with the Council as to the development of the balance of the site.

Gravity Site works

• TIG contractors are monitoring the landscaping on the link road (Enterprise Way) and replacing, as necessary until completion is formally singed off.
• Ground works and foundation construction (piling) continues for Agratas’s first building on site, view their videos here.
• The formal completion and adoption of Enterprise Way by Somerset Council is expected after snagging has been completed by the contractor. Works will then start on the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES), which includes a pedestrian and cycle path connecting Purtion and Woolavington and traffic calming measures.
• National Grid will by early February be communicating with local residents to introduce its role in the Gravity development and share plans to build a new substation on the Gravity site. They are a key enabler to provide the necessary infrastructure for the whole of Gravity.
• Site preparation and early works will continue, including material import and management.
• Work to recycle site material will continue.

Other matters

• Formal governance arrangements required under the LDO with the Council and other partners are now in place
• Enquiries- the respective teams will continue to support and respond to enquiries.

Contact Gravity

• Newsletter: Click here to subscribe
• Email: info@thisisgravity.co.uk

Contact Agratas

• Email: communityuk@agratas.net

Contact Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM)

• Email: agratas.community@srm.com

View and download PDF here.

October – December

As we move into Autumn, activity at the Gravity site will continue to accelerate. This is Gravity (TIG) continues to support the delivery of the advanced battery manufacturing facility, site infrastructure and wider campus amenities.

Summer saw Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) appointed by Agratas for the construction of the first major building on site – Building One.

Gravity Site works

• Site preparation for Agratas will continue, including material import and management.
• Work to recycle site material will continue.
• TIG contractors will be monitoring the new landscaping on the link road (Enterprise Way) and replacing, as necessary, to ensure completion as soon as possible.
• Ground works and foundation construction (piling) continues for Agratas’s first building on site.
• Work is well underway to open the new main entrance to site directly from the Woolavington Road roundabout, reducing the proportion of construction vehicles utilising Woolavington Road.
• Environmental monitoring equipment to report on noise and air conditions has been installed. Data from this equipment will be reported to the Council governance groups, once fully established.
• The formal completion and adoption of Enterprise Way by Somerset Council is expected after snagging has been completed by the contractor. Works will then start on the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES), which includes a pedestrian and cycle path connecting Purtion and Woolavington and traffic calming measures.
• Following meetings with local stakeholders, National Grid will soon be communicating with local residents to introduce plans to build a new substation on the Gravity site. They are a key enabler to provide the necessary infrastructure for the whole of Gravity

Other matters

• Gravity welcomes David Oakhill as its Director of Planning and Economic Development.
• Ground investigations will continue throughout the autumn months.
• Formal governance arrangements required under the LDO with the Council and other partners are now in place.
• Enquiries – the respective teams will continue to support and respond to enquiries.

Contact Gravity

• Newsletter: Click here to subscribe
• Email: info@thisisgravity.co.uk

Contact Agratas

• Email: communityuk@agratas.net

Download PDF here.

July – September

As we move into summer the site will maintain high levels of activity. This is Gravity (TIG) continues to support Agratas, and other leading partners in the delivery of the advanced battery manufacturing facility, site infrastructure and wider campus amenities.

Site works

• Site preparation and early works will continue including material import and management.
• The work to recycle concrete from the site and crush it for re-use will continue.
• Work with Somerset Council (SC) and other stakeholders is ongoing to establish and operate formal project governance meetings as well as community and business groups, we look forward to sharing more information as these develop.
• TIG contractors will monitor the new landscaping on the link road (Enterprise Way) and replace as necessary.
• Environmental monitoring equipment to report on noise and air conditions has been installed, data from this equipment will be reported to the Council as appropriate and governance groups when these are established.
• The formal completion and adoption of Enterprise Way by Somerset Council is expected after the contractor has completed the snagging, then triggering the s106 timeline for delivery of the Village Enhancement Scheme (VES), which includes a pedestrian and cycle path connecting Puriton and Woolavington and traffic calming measures. TIG are well prepared for this with the scheme designed in readiness, to avoid any delays to implementation.
• National Grid will be contacting local stakeholders to introduce their role in the delivery of the project and offering initial briefingsThey are a key enabler to provide the necessary infrastructure for the whole of Gravity.

Other matters

• Consultant site visits and ground investigations will continue across the summer months.
• Enquiries – the respective teams will continue to support and respond to enquiries.

Contact Gravity

• Newsletter: Click here to subscribe
• Email: info@thisisgravity.co.uk

Contact Agratas

• Email: communityuk@agratas.net

As we emerge from the Winter months work at the Gravity site will ramp up and the community will see more activity. This is a welcome sign as the site moves into implementation.

There are now two landowners at the Gravity smart campus and works will be coordinated and activity communicated jointly where possible. This is Gravity (TIG) who secured the Local Development Order remain as one landowner. Other occupiers will be announced in due course.

Planned Site Works

• The work to recycle concrete from the site and crush it for re-use will continue.
• Import of recycled aggregate from the Hinkley C connection project will also resume (weather dependent) towards the end of March.
• Import of aggregate to meet occupier needs as required.
• TIG contractors will be monitoring the new landscaping on the link road and replacing as necessary.
• Tree works on site will take place before bird nesting season to prepare for implementation.
• The campus approach to re-use and recycling seeks to reduce traffic movements.
• Consultant site visits, ground investigations will also take place.
• TIG Archaeology investigations will take place on part of the site outside of the original ROF fence, late March / early April for about 12 weeks.

Other matters

• TIG will continue to be represented locally by Claire Pearce as Director of Planning and Economic Development, Paul Lowndes as Programme Director on site, and Rob Stevens providing communications support. We welcome Stuart Houlet to the Gravity family as Head of Planning for TIG.
• TIG will continue with its work to replace the leisure facilities currently hosted by the 37 Club.
• Submissions to Somerset Council and other regulators on planning and technical matters will continue as appropriate.

View as PDF

View previous look-ahead documents.

The Gravity team continues to work across many workstreams to ensure that the site is ready for mobilisation and implementation of a large-scale advanced manufacturing facility. All workstreams listed in our Summer 2023 Look Ahead document are still ongoing.

Our primary update is to notify local communities that in accordance with our planning permission that on on-site works will be taking place on Saturdays 8am-6pm across the month of October, from Saturday the 7th through till Saturday the 28th.

Saturday working (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th)

• Due to fluctuating weather conditions throughout the year, Gravity aims to maximise the use of the remaining fair weather.
• All on-site activities strictly comply with Condition 2 of the planning permission ref: 42/22/00007. No work is being conducted within 500 meters of any residential property.
• Somerset Council is fully informed about the temporary adjustments to the working hours on-site for October.
• No HGV deliveries or imports are scheduled during these days. Work will be halted if weather conditions are not favourable.

On-site works

• Ongoing processing of onsite materials
• Breaking up of concrete in the ground and cutting and filling to achieve plateau levels
• Site preparation activities remain ongoing
• Site maintenance works comprising site security, road cleaning, grass mowing, fence repairs are continuing as required.

View as PDF

The Gravity team continues to work across multiple workstreams to ensure that the site is ready for mobilisation and implementation of a large-scale advanced manufacturing facility.

Recycling Material

• The site team continues to recycle concrete ‘won’ or found on site and this is being crushed to be re-used on the site during construction.
• The Kelson Sparks team are working with Gravity to recycle the material from the National Grid Hinkley C connection project temporary haul roads to store on-site for use in construction. This ensures many lorries of aggregate are being taken off the local roads.
• Haulage routes utilise Enterprise Way as well as the secondary access to the East of the site, to avoid unnecessary impacts on local communities. In 2023 alone, Enterprise Way has removed over 6,500 HGV journeys from local village roads.

Other on-site activities

• Site maintenance works comprising site security, road cleaning, grass mowing, and fence repairs are continuing as required.
• Site preparation is ongoing. Approximately half the site has been cleared of bramble and other brash so that ground works can commence.
• Ecological management continues on a daily basis to monitor badger activity at the boundaries of the fenced site. Our ecologists translocated the water vole population last spring and Gravity continues activity to ensure that the site rhynes are clear and do not present new habitat opportunities whilst construction is ongoing.

Link Road landscaping

• The landscaped area along the link road is under Gravity ownership. The landscaping works are part of the Alun Griffiths Contract and the contractor has an obligation to maintain the landscaping and replace any failed planting for a period of 2 years after completion.
• The implementation of new landscaping is often challenging on any scheme and the unpredictable and extreme shifts in the weather have made this more so, therefore the landscaping will be monitored and replaced as required.

Village enhancement scheme – Woolavington cycle & footpath

• A timeline for the delivery of the Cycle and footpath linking Puriton with Woolavington will be generated upon the issuance of the formal ‘completion certificate’ for Enterprise Way from Somerset County Council. Click here to view the planning submission for the proposed path.

What to expect

• Hosting of visitors to the site.
• Increased levels of activity on site.
• Increased HGV deliveries to the site, vehicles will be using the purpose-built access road ‘Enterprise Way.

Contact us:

• In event of queries please contact Gravity directly at info@thisisgravity.co.uk
• To view our planning documentation please click here.