THE name of a multi-million pound development on the outskirts of Bridgwater which could bring thousands of jobs to the area has been revealed.

The scheme, on the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory/BAE Systems site at Puriton, will be known as Gravity and it is hoped it will become a beacon for some of the world’s most innovative businesses and create around 4,000 new jobs.

The name and vision for the innovation campus was unveiled to an audience of more than 120 at Sedgemoor District Council’s tenth Annual Business Conference by Martin Bellamy, co-founder of Salamanca Group, which owns the 635-acre site, who said Gravity was the future.

“Geared for a cleaner future powered by people and our innovation capabilities, Gravity will welcome some of the world’s most innovative companies to the UK,” he said, adding that Salamanca Group was thrilled to be working alongside Sedgemoor District Council, who were proactive and dedicated to supporting the delivery of the site.

He said the campus would be home to a variety of businesses who provide solutions to sustainable economic growth in a form of components, platforms, goods or services.

The Conference was chaired by Councillor Anne Fraser, portfolio holder for economic growth at Sedgemoor District Council and opened by Lord Triesman, a director of Salamanca Group.

He said: “Salamanca Group is delighted to be welcomed so warmly to the conference and hearing about the exciting developments across the district.

"My fundamental approach has always been to develop positive working relationships with all partners and within the community.

"We’re looking forward to building relationships across Somerset and Sedgemoor, and together transforming the regional economy.”

Sedgemoor’s assistant director inward investment and growth, Claire Pearce, gave a presentation describing what had been achieved in Sedgemoor in the 10 years since the first Business Conference, including the planning team becoming joint best performing in the country.

The intention was to create a legacy from the Hinkley Point C and deliver high-value employment opportunities, she said.

Other speakers were David Eccles from EDF Energy; Brandie Deignan from Black and White Hospitality whose major shareholder is Marco Pierre White; Andy Berry of Bridgwater and Taunton College; Yeo Valley’s Tom White; Greg O’Connor representing M&S Simply Food; Matt Heard of Natural England’s Wessex Region and transport planner Steven Bishop from Steer Group.

The event concluded with an interactive session led by Strategic Director at Earth, Martin Johnston, who introduced the audience to Place Marketing with a view to developing a strategy to give Sedgemoor a competitive advantage as it continues to foster growth and inward investment.