SOMERSET, 29 February, Salamanca Group is pleased to announce that Agratas – Tata Group’s global battery business – has confirmed that the Group’s principal investment ‘Gravity Smart Campus’ is the location of its multi-billion-pound 40 GWh battery manufacturing facility.
Spanning 616 acres, Gravity is the UK’s first commercial smart campus and an initiative committed to supporting the transition to a resilient and clean UK economy. This is the first site within Salamanca Group’s pipeline of development interests to come to the market and firmly establishes its intention to lead in enabling giga-scale developments.
Since site acquisition in 2017, Salamanca Group has delivered a fully remediated, serviced and consented giga scale development site, capable of attracting global companies such as Agratas. Salamanca Group led the strategic place-making initiative that created the necessary conditions for investment and aligned the site with the aspirations of the locality and its stakeholders.
After extensive engagement between Salamanca Group, industry and government, a transaction was agreed with Agratas to purchase 307 acres of the site to build the UK’s largest Gigafactory. It represents a £4bn investment and will directly create 4,000 jobs and many more in the wider supply chain.
The site’s size and global connectivity will place it amongst the most strategically important commercial deals in the UK today. Agratas expects the factory to contribute almost half of the projected battery manufacturing capacity required for the UK automotive sector.
The announcement that Agratas will be the first Gravity occupier is equally an important development for the UK’s automotive industry. For some time now, many within Government and the industry have feared that without the development of British gigafactories, the UK could risk falling behind its international competitors.
Lord Dominic Johnson, Minister for Investment commented: “The Agratas’ announcement was fantastic news for Somerset. We’re committed to making the UK one of the very best places in the world for automotive investment, and Tata Group’s decision to build its gigafactory here shows once again that this government’s plan for the car industry is working”.
Lord David Triesman, Director at Salamanca Group & This is Gravity, commented: “This is truly a once-in-a-generation moment, one that will accelerate clean growth opportunities in the South West, a region that has often been overlooked and misrepresented. The realisation of this gigafactory will not only complement the region’s existing manufacturing and engineering expertise but also catalyse an economic ripple effect felt across the UK. At this pivotal juncture, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who, over the past six years, has enabled Gravity to reach this monumental milestone. This achievement does not mark the end of our journey, but rather it signifies a significant stride towards a cleaner, more inclusive economy. The team which delivered the Tata Group/Agratas gigafactory site has proved, where almost all others failed, that if you have the right ingredients you can create a feast for the UK“.
Martin Bellamy, Chairman at Salamanca Group & CO-CEO at This is Gravity alongside Tom Curtis commented: “This is the most important announcement for the UK’s automotive sector since the arrival of Nissan in the 1980s. It demonstrates that not only is the UK open for business, but that there is a real ambition to supercharge British car manufacturing. This announcement will act as a catalyst for other companies looking to establish operations in the UK, as well as providing a massive economic boost for the Southwest. Our vision to create a smart campus on Gravity, and to see the M5 corridor between Bristol and Exeter as the UK’s Silicon Valley, is a step closer.”
The Gravity site has been specifically designed by Salamanca Group to provide the infrastructure needed to attract green industry to the region and, as an Enterprise Zone, Gravity is well placed to fast-track investors and occupiers towards a net zero carbon future.
Claire Pearce, Director – Planning & Economic Development at Salamanca Group & This is Gravity, added “This announcement marks a transformational step change in the UK’s transport decarbonisation efforts, aligned with the vision and ambition of the Gravity smart campus to create up to 7,500 high-value jobs in a future-facing industry at the heart of the South West. The adoption of the Gravity Local Development Order by Sedgemoor District Council (now Somerset Council) has enabled us to provide the flexibility needed to attract and accommodate a Gigafactory. We will work collaboratively with Agratas, we will also work with Bridgwater & Taunton College and other educational institutions to establish a talent pipeline built on local foundations. We are excited to see how this Gigafactory will act as a catalyst for wider economic renewal and the transition to net-zero”.
Occupiers to the site will benefit from the development of significant talent pipelines, owing to its proximity to the leading universities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Cardiff and The West of England as well as its immediate neighbour Bridgwater and Taunton College.
By creating an attractive environment for researchers and highly skilled workers, the site will enable occupants to retain top talent in the region and generate a cluster of innovation within clean growth sectors.
Salamanca Group is proud to have such strong endorsements from a wide range of stakeholders.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “The South West has a fantastic innovation ecosystem geared towards achieving Net Zero, and it’s a great vote of confidence to see Agratas become part of that at Gravity. I look forward to exploring collaborative opportunities with them and other future occupiers of Gravity to advance the skills and R&D needed to tackle the climate emergency and boost our region’s growing reputation in energy futures”.
David Brown, Chief Executive of Bristol Port, said: “The announcement by Agratas and Gravity today is fantastic news for the region and will provide exciting opportunities for the local supply chain. The Bristol Port Company looks forward to supporting Agratas during the construction and operation of this huge investment in the green economy through its road, rail, sea and digital networks”.
Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, said: “This is a big boost for the regional economy and puts Somerset and the South West at the forefront of the UK’s transition to net zero. As the region’s international gateway, we’ll do everything we can to support this exciting project and its supply chain”.
John Wilkinson, Director of the Western Gateway, said: “It is great to see this huge investment in the UK which is a vital opportunity for our nation to make the most of the economic opportunities of the green transition.
…This new Gigafactory will be a key part of ensuring our area can deliver on its potential to become the UK’s Green Energy Powerhouse. I look forward to working with our neighbours in the Great South West to promote our area as a driving force in the UK’s economic future”.
Andy Berry, Principal and CEO of Bridgwater and Taunton College, welcomed the news. He said: “It’s an exciting time for Somerset and our community. We will be drawing on our extensive experience of responding to workforce needs at a global level. As the skills lead we will be working with employers, industry specialists and other educational institutions such as the University of Bristol to deliver a cohesive and comprehensive approach to workforce development, it will be a fantastic boost for the region”.
Phil Smith, MD, Business West commented: “We really welcome this significant news for our region. A cash injection like this is not just good news for decarbonisation, but the local economy and community too. This is exactly the type of long-term investment we need; investment that goes beyond just one political cycle. We need business to invest in our region in order for it to thrive. We can’t wait for government to loosen its purse strings. This announcement really puts a spotlight on our region, and its position as a great place to live, learn and work”.
Paul Coles, CEO of SWBC, said: “This is a significant step for what is a groundbreaking project. The Gravity campus has the potential to become a fundamental part of the South West’s low carbon future, driving innovation, sustainable growth and opportunity for the whole region. We have been liaising with the team at Gravity for some time, and will continue to work closely with them to help support the delivery of what is a hugely exciting opportunity not just for the South West, but for the whole of the UK”.
Tim Wheeldon, Managing Director at Zeal Hotels, commented: “We believe the potential of Gravity to be a catalyst for business growth in Bridgwater. We look forward to welcoming and creating long-lasting partnerships with Agratas and other businesses connected to the project, and to be part of this legacy for Bridgwater”.
Diogo Rodrigues, Bridgwater Chamber Manager commented: “This significant investment not only helps secure the economic future of Bridgwater but also marks a pivotal moment for the entire South West’s sustainable growth. The gigafactory’s impact on our local economy and the broader UK’s green industrial revolution is hugely significant”.
About Salamanca Group
Salamanca Groups’ mission is to connect global investment opportunities with UK communities. Through the design, consultation and delivery of strategic placemaking initiatives, we promote economic uplift, creating high-quality, sustainable jobs and embedding positive social impact.
We are focused on making the United Kingdom fit for the challenges of the 21st century. We do this by partnering with local authorities, business groups, academic institutions and national government departments to champion key strategic sites across the UK
Our work enables resilient infrastructure that connects communities and promotes wellbeing. By revitalising de-industrialised places and transforming them into regional economic assets, we can deliver a lasting legacy and build on creating high-quality jobs in future-facing sectors.
Our accumulated knowledge makes us one of the most experienced and successful teams in the country in delivering large-scale place-changing projects at pace.
Salamanca media enquiries: r.stevens@salamanca-group.com