Village near 'gigafactory' could double in size

A small village near the UK's first "gigafactory" could double in size in a few years if plans for 1,550 new homes are approved.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley is planning a development which would see the new homes built alongside commercial space and a primary school in Woolavington and the Gravity enterprise zone.

Somerset Council is expected to make a ruling on these initial proposals in a matter of weeks with more detailed plans being submitted later in the year.

A spokesperson for Boyer Planning, representing Persimmon, said: "The proposed neighbourhood will support growth at the Gravity campus, which will deliver upwards of 7,500 jobs."

Agratas, Tata Group's global battery business, is in the process of building the £4bn gigafactory at the Gravity enterprise zone between Puriton and Woolavington in Somerset.

The site for the new homes lies between Woolavington Road and Crancrombe Road, adjacent to a planned development of 85 homes put forward by Gladman Developments.

Of the 1,550 homes earmarked for the site, up to 40% will be affordable under the existing Sedgemoor Local Plan - the equivalent of 620 properties.

Woolavington is already expected to see significant housing growth in the coming years as the gigafactory slowly takes shape.

If the council approves the West Woolavington scoping opinion, Persimmon is expected to put forward more detailed plans before Christmas.

The developer has indicated that, if approval is granted, construction could begin sometime in 2028.

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