A new 500-bed housing campus is planned near Sedgemoor Crematorium, close to Somerset’s burgeoning £4 billion Agratas gigafactory site. The facility aims to ease housing pressure on nearby towns and villages by providing dedicated accommodation for factory workers.
Located in the hamlet of Stretcholt, between Pawlett and West Huntspill, the campus will serve up to 2,000 workers employed at the Gravity enterprise zone—a major industrial hub under rapid development between Puriton and Woolavington. Construction of the gigafactory promises the creation of 4,000 local jobs, driving a significant economic boost for the region.
Agratas and its development partner, Property Link consultants, propose the campus on the former Crooked Chimney pub site opposite Sedgemoor Crematorium along the A38 Pawlett Road. The location previously received approval for a hotel and leisure centre development in 1992 but remained unused.
Designed with modular construction techniques to expedite the project—similar to those used in Bridgwater’s new diagnostic centre—the campus will include not just accommodation, but also amenities such as restaurants, bars, a gym, conference spaces, and break-out areas. Discussions are ongoing with The Co-operative Food to establish a convenience store to serve both residents and nearby communities.
Conservative Councillor Mark Healey, representing the Huntspill division that covers the Gravity site, stressed the importance of a swift planning decision by Somerset Council. He highlighted the need to avoid housing shortages and local disruption when the workforce peaks in May 2026. According to Healey, the £17 million development will incorporate environmentally-friendly features such as ‘grass-crete’ parking to maintain natural drainage and will set aside land for biodiversity net gain.
Despite no formal planning application yet submitted, the council’s planning committee responsible for major Sedgemoor projects will soon assess the proposal. A current backlog of applications, partly due to phosphate mitigation requirements in the Somerset Levels, has delayed timely decisions. Councillor Healey urged authorities to expedite the process to meet critical deadlines aligned with the gigafactory’s operational timeline.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, welcomed the investment and acknowledged the challenges associated with housing the increasing workforce generated by major projects like Hinkley Point C and Agratas. Rigby emphasized the council’s commitment to a fast-tracked decision, ensuring that Somerset remains an attractive location for significant industrial development.
This housing campus is a key piece in supporting one of the largest manufacturing projects outside of China and underscores multi-million-pound public and private commitments to Somerset’s future.