Residents are being invited to have their say on proposals for the region’s ‘largest commercial development’ near Burnham-On-Sea that’s predicted to generate up to 7,500 jobs.
Sedgemoor District Council has launched a formal consultation for a Local Development Order (LDO) for the Gravity Enterprise Zone at the former Royal Ordnance factory at Puriton.
The LDO would speed up the planning process to support investment and bring forward the site’s transformation, providing between 4,000 and 7,500 skilled jobs.
Gravity aims to create:
Thousands of jobs in high value industries – advanced manufacturing, including electric vehicles and or battery manufacturing, smart technology, robotics, data, energy and other highly skilled sectors.
- A Skills Charter to link local people to training and job opportunities.
- A Business Charter to help local businesses respond to supply chain opportunities.
- Homes to encourage our young people to stay, train and work locally.
- Improved bus services, walking and cycling connections and potential new passenger rail and freight links to benefit Puriton, Woolavington and the wider region.
- New leisure and open spaces to support health and wellbeing.
- Continued work with local schools and education providers to build resilience, create training opportunities and inspire new careers.
- New and improved infrastructure for transport, energy digital connectivity and utilities.
People, businesses and local organisations have until 5pm on Wednesday, December 8, to comment on the draft LDO and to help shape the ‘opportunity to deliver widespread growth and prosperity to the area’.
Before Sedgemoor District councillors consider the LDO, the authority is formally consulting with the public and statutory partners about the proposals for Gravity via www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/GravityLDO.
Cllr Duncan McGinty, leader of Sedgemoor District Council, said: “Sedgemoor District is a proactive, pro-business council and has an impressive record on achieving economic growth.
