Welcome plans for a new leisure centre on Gravity site for locals

Claire Sully, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the new Bridgwater constituency, has welcomed the decision that a new publicly-available leisure centre will be built on the Gravity Smart Campus site near Puriton in 2025.

The development follows an announcement in February that Agratas, a subsidiary company of Tata, would inject £4 billion into the site with the creation of the UK’s largest gigafactory, producing batteries for electric vehicles.

A report in the Bridgwater Mercury revealed the new leisure centre will be directly connected to the Village Enhancement Scheme – a walking and cycling route to connect Puriton and Woolavington – and will include a café, bar, two skittle alleys and four full-size snooker tables.

It will also have space to host public art, and will be open to the community during the day and at weekends.

“Not only is the Gravity Smart Campus creating jobs, attracting inward investment and making Bridgwater a focal point for the production of sustainable energy solutions, but with this announcement it is also going to bring some excellent wellbeing amenities to local residents,” Claire said.

“When it was announced last month that Agratas would invest £4 billion into the project and create 4,000 jobs, I said the priority now would be to ensure that local residents feel the benefit of this development.

“I know local people are concerned about the loss of 37 Club with the current space for gatherings and groups, therefore a flexible space is essential. I will discuss this with the Gravity team, as part of their local community engagement work. The decision to offer a new leisure centre which is accessible to local residents is a tangible example of what the Gravity Smart Campus can bring to those who live nearby. I am pleased that there is a plan to have a Legacy Wall in the new building to acknowledge the history and heritage of the building.”

Claire hosted her first ‘Shine A Light On…’ event at the 37 Club on the Gravity Smart Campus site, among the speakers was Bill Revans, leader of the Somerset Council, and Claire Pearce, a director at the ground-breaking Gravity Smart Campus which is set to be a world-leader in the production of sustainable energy solutions. Tony Cradock also spoke about the excellent work (and future ambition) undertaken at the Morlands Community Hub in Highbridge.