A MAJOR step was taken forward in the delivery of the Gravity Enterprise Zone today (July 15), as Sedgemoor District Council's Executive committee approved the preparation of a Local Development Order for the site.

The document will now been drawn up, and if approved, the developers and Sedgemoor District Council will work collaboratively through a Planning Performance Agreement to create a 'simplified planning regime' for businesses which will 'improve outcomes for the locality and communities'.

The Gravity ambition is to create a smart campus and 'a community with health, wellbeing and innovation at its heart'.

It is hoped the project will create 4,000 jobs, with plans for at approximately 1,300 'homes/units' on the site, including a least one hotel.

Martin Bellamy, chairman of Salamanca Group and chief executive of Gravity said: “This important decision aligns our vision with the enterprise zone and strengthens our focus on clean and inclusive growth.

"Gravity is working to strengthen the UK’s knowledge economy and domestic supply chains by attracting responsible, fast-growing companies who can lead a green economic recovery by creating new, higher-value jobs and social infrastructure in Sedgemoor."

Meanwhile Cllr Duncan McGinty, leader of Sedgemoor District Council said: “Sedgemoor District is a proactive, pro-business council, and has an impressive record on achieving economic growth.

"Now, even more so, the council must work hard to secure new green collar jobs in sectors which are growing to create sustained jobs into the future for our communities.

"Gravity is the Sedgemoor enterprise zone and forms a key part of our plans to stimulate a green economic renewal."