A 500-bed residential campus is being proposed to support the workforce at Somerset’s emerging £4 billion Agratas gigafactory. The facility, located within the Gravity enterprise zone between Puriton and Woolavington, is under construction and expected to create up to 4,000 local jobs. To alleviate housing pressure on nearby towns and villages, Agratas plans to build this large campus opposite Sedgemoor Crematorium in the hamlet of Stretcholt, situated between Pawlett and West Huntspill.
Conservative Councillor Mark Healey, representing the Huntspill division that includes the Gravity site, has called on Somerset Council to expedite a decision on the proposal. He emphasized the importance of delivering the campus on schedule to minimize disruption to local residents as the gigafactory ramps up operations.
The proposed site lies along A38 Pawlett Road, on land formerly occupied by the Crooked Chimney public house. Previously, Raynerstone Properties Ltd. received permission in 1992 to develop a hotel and leisure complex here, but those plans were never realized. Now, plans outline a 500-bed campus featuring amenities such as restaurants, bars, a gym, conference centre, and break-out areas. Negotiations are ongoing with The Co-operative Food to establish a convenience store serving both residents and the wider community.
READ MORE: Body Discovered Near Somerset Country Club
READ MORE: Over 9,300 New Homes in Somerset May Be Approved by Central Government, Bypassing Local Authorities
At a recent council meeting in Bridgwater, Councillor Healey detailed that Agratas and Property Link consultants jointly submitted plans for this workforce accommodation facility. The campus will be just 3.5 miles from the Gravity zone, with dedicated bus services transporting workers to reduce congestion in Bridgwater. Peak staffing for phase one is projected for May 2026, demanding an additional 2,000 workers onsite.
The campus’s estimated development cost is around £17 million, with a majority of buildings constructed modularly for faster delivery. Rollalong, a regional company with experience providing modular housing for military, educational, and affordable housing projects, is slated to undertake the construction. Design considerations include cladding that harmonizes with the rural setting, parking on environmentally friendly grass-crete surfaces to avoid extensive tarmac, and designated areas for biodiversity enhancement.
Though no formal planning application has yet been submitted, any approval will likely come from the council’s Planning Committee North, which oversees major projects in the Sedgemoor area. The council currently faces a backlog of significant planning cases exacerbated by staffing shortages and environmental compliance challenges related to local phosphate regulations.
Councillor Healey emphasized the urgency, warning that a typical planning timeline extending to late 2026 would be too late to prevent negative impacts. He urged the council to confirm support for the 500-bed campus to safeguard local housing and underpin the gigafactory’s timely operation.
“The government has invested over a billion pounds in this project, and the council has also committed millions in support, so meeting these deadlines is critical,” Healey stated.
Councillor Mike Rigby, overseeing economic development and planning, acknowledged these concerns and praised ongoing investment in Somerset. Highlighting parallels with housing challenges at Hinkley Point C, Rigby underscored the importance of swift planning decisions to support both construction and operational workforce needs.
“Somerset continues to attract significant investment,” Rigby said. “Addressing housing demands promptly is vital to sustain this growth.”