Plans to build a 500-bed residential campus for staff at Somerset’s new £4 billion gigafactory have been paused, according to a senior contractor involved with the project.
While construction is advancing swiftly on the gigafactory within the Gravity enterprise zone—located between Puriton and Woolavington and set to begin operations by late 2027—the proposed dedicated worker accommodation opposite Sedgemoor Crematorium is currently not moving forward.
Councillor Mark Healey, representing the Huntspill division that includes the Gravity site, had announced in December 2025 that the facility’s developer, Agratas, hoped to launch this campus to help ease pressure on Somerset’s rental market. The campus was envisioned to feature modular-built residential blocks along with amenities such as restaurants, bars, a gym, a conference center, and a Co-operative Food store, at an estimated cost of around £17 million.
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However, Agratas has since clarified that the campus option remains under preliminary discussion without any firm decision, opting instead to accommodate the majority of workers through existing private rental markets, extending as far as Bristol and Exeter. Nick Cooper, Agratas’s community engagement manager, noted that any potential campus was primarily considered for overseas staff responsible for installing advanced equipment, while the broader workforce would rely on private accommodation.
The gigafactory aims to recruit approximately 500 employees by the end of this year, expanding to 750 more by 2027. During peak construction, Robert McAlpine—the main contractor for the facility’s first building—expects up to 2,900 workers on site, around 58% of whom will need local accommodation, totaling some 1,693 bed spaces.
Rather than creating a single campus, employee housing will be provided via hotels, short-term rentals, and the private rental sector. A company called Brief to Event will manage clustering workers in various locations such as Bridgwater, Puriton, Woolavington, Axbridge, Cheddar, and areas just west of Street, seeking to minimize disruption to tourism and local communities. Private rental properties will also be sourced along the M5 corridor from Bristol to Exeter, including towns like Taunton, Wellington, and Weston-super-Mare, with some accommodations in the eastern part of Somerset.
To mitigate traffic congestion and environmental impact, shuttle bus services will run from key transit hubs, including Bridgwater railway station, while enhanced cycle storage and improved cycling routes encourage sustainable commuting options. The construction team has emphasized learning from the nearby Hinkley Point C project, aiming to avoid issues such as fly-parking and to maintain harmony with local residents.
Council leader Bill Revans expressed support for this approach, highlighting the importance of ensuring the project benefits the wider Somerset community while carefully managing its impact.