New ring road surrounding 'gigafactory' approved

Planning permission has been granted for a new ring road surrounding the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery plant, meaning construction can begin soon.

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.

Construction on the factory has begun, and the Department for Business and Trade recently committed an additional £380m towards the factory, which will begin operating in late-2027.

Somerset Council has now granted permission for the first section of the new orbital road which will eventually surround the site.

In line with previous plans approved in May 2023, this road will include a wide shared use pedestrian and cycle path along its entire length, with new connections being provided to allow access to Woolavington Surgery via Crockers Hill.

A spokesperson for Agratas said: "Public transport will be served on the northbound carriageway with a layby bus stop.

"The pedestrian and cycleway will connect to the existing facilities on Woolavington Road and the approved enhancement scheme, which will provide an off-carriageway connection between the villages of Woolavington and Puriton."

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said in his written report: "Currently, there are approximately 600 workers on site.

"Phase two of the construction works will continue over a period of 14 months, which will see an increase to around 2,900 construction workers."

Rigby added that discussions were ongoing with National Highways about improving links to the site from the M5 motorway.

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