North Somerset to benefit from creation of new giga factory
On 19 July 2023, Jaguar Land Rover-owner Tata has pledged to build its flagship electric car battery factory in Somerset
North Somerset Council welcomes the announcement that JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) intends to invest over £4 billion in a new UK giga factory at Gravity Business Park in Somerset – one of the largest ever investments in the UK automotive sector.
The new gigafactory is set to provide almost half of the car battery production needed by 2030 – turbocharging the UK’s switch to zero emissions vehicles.
This new plant will also present significant opportunities for North Somerset’s businesses and residents, and is anticipated to create an extra 9,000 jobs, within a sustainable commutable distance for local residents.
It will also provide the potential for North Somerset Council to accelerate green inward investment, through building a supply chain cluster linked to electric vehicle battery innovation and manufacturing.
The proximity of the Gravity site makes the Weston Enterprise Area ideally placed to support supply chain activity and link up with Bristol Port and the wider West of England area to develop the opportunities associated with the gigafactory.
Cllr Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy, said: “This is great news for our economy and the people and businesses of North Somerset. We’ve been expecting an announcement on the occupier at Gravity for a while and have been working up ideas to ensure we benefit from this investment.“
“This includes working with Weston College to understand future skills needs so that the right training can be available for our residents and developing a partnership with colleagues at Gravity to market Weston Enterprise Area as an ideal location for complementary supply chain businesses. We’re also preparing a local plan which will deliver the commercial floor space needed to realise the maximum economic benefits.
“There is the potential of 882,000 sq ft of commercial floor space in Weston Enterprise Area and we will work closely with partners to bring together this opportunity to ensure North Somerset’s economy is resilient, thriving and delivers for our residents.”
For more information about investment opportunities in North Somerset and connections with the Gravity project, the Weston Enterprise Area prospectus is available on innorthsomerset.co.uk