Bridgwater is experiencing a transformation. The construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is creating new jobs and opportunities, while a new gigafactory in nearby Puriton promises further change.
The Hinkley Point C project has widespread local support, with EDF reporting only 14% opposition among residents. However, visits to Bridgwater reveal concerns over rising rents, driven by incoming workers associated with the development.
Brigitte Bentham, a 66-year-old lettings manager, has witnessed noticeable rent increases as newcomers arrive. “Most people here are not originally from Bridgwater. Many foreign workers and apprentices are brought in. It’s good for the local economy,” she says.
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In September 2024, a local resident spoke off the record about being priced out of his family home due to rent hikes, suspecting landlords are capitalizing on demand from new arrivals.
Immigration rates in Bridgwater remain below the national average. The latest census shows 9.4% of residents born outside the UK, compared to 17.4% across England. Still, work visa holders have moved into the town and surrounding areas in increasing numbers. Brigitte sees this as beneficial, despite most workers remaining temporary: “They earn well here, then move on. It’s a stepping stone.”
Amid ongoing debates about immigration, we spoke with migrant workers to hear their experiences. Benjamin and Mounia, a young married couple from France with two children, have settled in nearby Taunton and commute to Bridgwater for work. Benjamin is a project manager at Hinkley Point C, and Mounia manages stakeholder relations.
Contrary to being just a stopover, they have grown to love Somerset. Mounia shares, “Our children love their school and are fluent in both English and French. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and we love seeing them thrive.”
Benjamin says the biggest adjustment was moving from Paris to a rural county, not the move between countries. “We’ve been here over three years and want to stay. Life is calmer compared to Paris.”
The couple enjoys Somerset’s nature. “Somerset and North Devon are beautiful. We spend weekends at the beach and in the woods,” Mounia adds.
They report no experiences of prejudice. Mounia volunteers in a small village and initially worried her accent and North African heritage might make integration difficult. “At first, people were shy, but after repeated visits, trust built. It’s about mutual adaptation; eventually, the walls come down.”
Hinkley Point C takes pride in its local impact. Suze Osmond, a local vicar whose church has benefited from donations, appreciates their commitment: “They want their legacy to be a positive one.”
The numbers are impressive: £20 million donated to 400 local groups, 1,740 apprentices trained, and nearly 20,000 people engaged in skills and traineeship programs.
Despite the boom, many community members worry that Hinkley Point jobs are temporary. Still, Mounia is optimistic that the skills apprentices gain will benefit Bridgwater long-term. “It’s not just a one-time boost. Apprenticeships build skills that open doors elsewhere, and Somerset is becoming attractive for large projects.”
While debates on Hinkley Point C will continue, Benjamin and Mounia remain hopeful that the project will bring long-lasting benefits to Bridgwater and its people.