Plans to build a 500-bed campus for staff at Somerset’s new £4 billion gigafactory have been placed on hold, according to a senior contractor involved in the project.
Located within the Gravity enterprise zone between Puriton and Woolavington, the gigafactory is advancing quickly and aims to be operational by late 2027. Earlier reports suggested that Agratas, the lead company behind the project, intended to develop a dedicated campus opposite Sedgemoor Crematorium to ease local housing pressures. This campus was envisioned to feature restaurants, bars, a gym, a conference center, and a Co-operative Food store, using modular construction methods to expedite delivery, with an estimated cost of around £17 million.
However, Agratas has since clarified that the campus plan is not moving forward at this time. Instead, the majority of the anticipated workforce will be housed in the private rental market, including areas as far away as Bristol and Exeter.
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Discussions with a property developer about the campus did take place but have not progressed to any formal commitments. The accommodation focus is now primarily on staff joining from overseas who will install cutting-edge equipment at the facility. For most employees, alternative housing solutions will be provided.
Agratas plans to employ approximately 500 people by the end of the current year and increase to 1,250 by the end of 2027. Peak construction will see around 2,900 workers onsite. Of these, up to 58%—roughly 1,693 people—will require accommodation within a reasonable commuting distance.
In place of a dedicated campus, workers will be housed in hotels, private rentals, and short-term lets arranged via a company called Brief to Event. A commissioned review assessed private accommodation and hotel availability within a 45-minute commute to avoid negatively impacting local tourism or increasing strain caused by concurrent projects like Hinkley Point C.
Short-term accommodations are concentrated around Bridgwater, Puriton, and Woolavington, with additional lodging sought in Axbridge, Cheddar, and areas west of Street. Private rentals will be drawn from locations along the M5 corridor, including Taunton, Wellington, and Weston-super-Mare. Some workers are expected to travel even from east Somerset towns such as Castle Cary and Wincanton.
To mitigate traffic and environmental impact, shuttle buses will run from key locations, including Bridgwater railway station. Enhanced cycle storage at the gigafactory also encourages commuting by bike via established local routes.
Robert McAlpine, overseeing construction, emphasizes that lessons from other major infrastructure projects are informing their approach. Nick Jones, the company’s programme director, stated, “We understand the challenges from projects like Hinkley Point C and are committed to managing accommodation and transport responsibly. We expect no fly-parking issues and are coordinating with local hotels to balance worker housing with tourism needs.”
Somerset Council leadership has expressed strong support for this evolving accommodation strategy. Council leader Bill Revans remarked, “This is a phenomenal opportunity for Somerset, and we want to ensure it benefits the entire region.”