Gravity

Sector and market opportunity

The UK government has identified clean growth as a key priority.

Gravity will be a purpose-built smart campus focused on clean growth. It will appeal to the low carbon economy of business and workforce, and will create an attractive work environment in an area with outstanding natural assets.

Location

Gravity is positioned between Bristol, which is aspiring to be the UK’s green capital, and Exeter, which is working towards becoming a zero-carbon city. Together, these cities are on track to become the catalyst for the UK’s clean growth economy.

Investment is already underway on transport links with outline planning permission in place. The proximity of 4 universities will provide tenants with access to a strong supply of skilled labour.

Connectivity

This 616-acre (250 hectare) site is one of the largest development ready sites in the UK and has excellent transport links.

The site is next to junction 23 of the M5, close to both Bristol and Exeter airports, as well as the Port of Bristol at Avonmouth. It has its own railhead and will connect into both the passenger and freight services that operate between Bristol and Exeter.

Local talent and skills

The project is working with schools, Bridgwater and Taunton College, universities, and other partners to build resilience and training opportunities to inspire new careers.

Due to its proximity to these 4 leading universities, tenants can benefit from a strong supply of skilled labour:

• University of Bristol
• University of Exeter
• Bath University
• University of the West of England

Research and expertise

Gravity has partnered with E.ON to deliver the UK’s first Ectogrid on the Gravity site.

Further details

There’s already considerable interest in Gravity with substantial development space under negotiation.

The whole of the site is a designated Enterprise Zone that will provide up to 7,500 job opportunities and contribute around £500 million to the local economy.

The following business sectors are expected to occupy the site:

• Low carbon energy production
• Advanced manufacturing
• A.I. and robotics
• Electric vehicles
• Data centres
• Creative industries

The flat site means that construction and development will be fast. With planning consents in place there are no natural barriers to development.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) highlights

The site will accommodate large-scale electric vehicle manufacturing and advanced engineering, such as:

• aerospace
• agritech
• hydroponics
• battery manufacturing

Gravity is enhancing the sustainability of the existing local community by providing new jobs and new community facilities, including a replacement local club and outdoor recreation.

The project plans to build an integral community providing live, work and play opportunities. The site will include:

• office space
• conference facilities
• university and education
• gyms
• cafés
• community facilities
• nursery
• residential accommodation

Promoters and partnerships

The project’s promoter is This is Gravity Ltd, a subsidiary of the Salamanca Group.

Gravity is being supported by:

• E.ON (low carbon energy production partner)
• Arup (digital master planners)
• Stantec (transport)
• LDA (master planning)
• JLL (commercial agent)
• Turner Townshend (cost consultant)

The project is being overseen and delivered by the Gravity Board of Directors, which includes Lord David Triesman and Lord Des Browne.

Local and national government support

Gravity is also working with the support of the local authorities. These are Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council, the heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership.

Additionally, Gravity is in close communication with the UK government through the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).