This is Gravity ltd, the landowner of the 635-acre brownfield site in Bridgwater, has appointed JLL as sole agent for its smart campus, Gravity, which is currently under development and signed a 50-year agreement with E.ON to provide bespoke renewable and low-carbon on-site energy solutions.
Gravity will attract responsible and fast-growing companies associated with advanced manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, assembly and distribution space, R&D and offices.
Gravity will be a centre for clean growth, employment and the talent and technology of the future. The smart campus’s design – informed through consultation with a team of economic analysts, sustainability and environmental specialists – responds to the shifting global trends in consumption, energy use, automation and digitalisation, creating thousands of long-term jobs.
Tom Curtis, Co-CEO, Gravity, said: “At Gravity, we are committed to creating a connected and sustainable mixed-use smart campus which will attract some of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking companies.
“From start-up tech leaders of tomorrow to established multinationals and experts in advanced manufacturing, we believe that this site will deliver R&D as a result of knowledge sharing and harnessing the region’s talent from its leading universities and colleges. Underpinning this philosophy is a clear commitment to help drive the UK’s Clean Growth agenda.”
Chris Ireland, JLL’s UK CEO, said: “We look forward to working with This is Gravity ltd, to create their vision and attract leading businesses to the site. In Gravity we are partnering with someone who are also focused on what’s good for business and for a more sustainable future. JLL’s progressive approach means we’re integrating sustainability into all our advice in order to work with clients such as Gravity to maximise the benefits of a sustainable approach across the property sector.”
E.ON’s role as energy partner will deliver an alternative to standard utility grid connections by providing an on-site, integrated energy service through lower carbon and resilient power, heating, and cooling systems. These are anticipated to be on-site from autumn 2020 at the same time as completion of the link road direct to the M5 is expected.
Mr Curtis said: “We are very excited to have signed this 50-year agreement with E.ON, as the renewable and low-carbon on-site energy solutions that E.ON will provide to each of our future tenants will ensure we are able to deliver the promise of Gravity to be the UK’s first smart campus.
“E.ON will enable us to satisfy the energy requirements of forward-thinking and climate-conscious tenants, and also ensure we are able to deliver our commitment to help drive the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, something that is critical to all new commercial developments and future innovation.”
Michael Lewis, Chief Executive, E.ON UK, said: “When we talk about the new energy future and our work supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions, we’re pretty much describing what will be happening at Gravity as it becomes home to some of the world’s most innovative businesses. We’ve been impressed with the quality of expertise within the Gravity team and the striking natural fit of our shared vision for a sustainable future.
“This really is us building tomorrow’s business. What we offer at Gravity will be bespoke to the needs of the tenants and allows us to bring our specialist knowledge and Europe-wide experience in providing smart, personalised and sustainable solutions for businesses.”
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