Agratas has announced revised plans for the initial phase of the £4 billion ‘gigafactory’ in Somerset, with a public display of the new proposals. The facility, set within the Gravity enterprise zone between Puriton and Woolavington, is anticipated to generate approximately 4,000 high-paying jobs, establishing one of the most significant employment hubs in the region.
Intending to manufacture electric vehicle batteries for Jaguar Land Rover, the gigafactory could potentially supply up to 40 per cent of the UK’s domestic electric vehicle battery demand. Construction firm McAlpine has been tasked with the pre-construction work at the former Royal Ordnance Factory site and has already commenced activities at the south-western section of the site.
Initially approved by the Somerset Council in December 2024, the original plans for the first phase were devised for ‘Building One,’ set to kickstart construction in the near future. However, following notable progress, Agratas has submitted updated proposals for this phase, including the incorporation of a new substation to power the gigafactory and the initial segment of an orbital road to link the site to Enterprise Way and a potential new M5 junction.
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Local residents in Woolavington were given the opportunity to inspect the proposals firsthand at a recent drop-in event held at the village hall. The entire Gravity enterprise zone has been subjected to a local development order since December 2021, aimed at expediting the investment delivery within the site.
This designation allows planning officers to grant approval for suitable developments within specific areas of the site, adhering to detailed conditions regarding building design and usage. Consequently, plans can be sanctioned without necessitating public decisions from the council’s planning committee north, which oversees major applications within the former Sedgemoor area.
The updated phase one proposals for ‘Building One’ entail a reduction in length by 84 meters, equating to a loss of around 12,000 square meters of floorspace, attributed to newfound efficiencies in manufacturing processes. This modification will facilitate the creation of a larger landscaped area to the south, mitigating the urbanization impact and bolstering the site’s sustainability.
Moreover, the scaled-down building is expected to utilize 19 per cent less energy and 25 per cent less water, resulting in a saving of over 3,750 tonnes of CO2 during the construction phase. Ancillary buildings will be downsized, and certain elements such as the canteen and offices will be repositioned to align with the adjusted building footprint. Additionally, the southern car park’s location has been shifted north to ensure continued accessibility to the southern part of ‘Building One.’
Notably, the overall parking capacity within the site remains unaltered, encompassing various spaces for standard cars, electric vehicles, car sharing, bicycles, Blue Badge holders, motorcycles, and contractors. The spokesperson for Agratas highlighted that the proposed changes will extend and relocate the parking, walking, and cycling facilities for the benefit of the employees.
The plans also entail the relocation of bus stops to maintain short walking distances, provision of off-road cycle routes, cycle shelters near entrance doors, shower and changing facilities, drying areas, and lockers within the building. Additionally, pedestrian and cycle access from ‘Building One’ will connect to the new ring road and village enhancement scheme path, strengthening the connectivity within the vicinity.
The southern section of the ring road will link the site to Enterprise Way and a new National Grid substation, while the northern section and a new Junction 22A will be realized in subsequent construction phases. An additional public drop-in session for the updated proposals will be held at the expanding Puriton Primary School, with a decision anticipated from the council in late-spring.
Assuming approval is granted, construction of ‘Building One’ is slated to commence as early as June, with the facility projected to become operational by late-2027. The ring road’s delivery is expected to commence in September, with completion set for the autumn of 2027, while the new substation’s construction may extend into 2028 even with a potential start in the autumn of 2025.