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The Council has adopted a Local Development Order for the Gravity Enterprise Zone, which is located near Puriton, just off Junction 23 of the M5, previously known as the former Royal Ordnance Factory.

Gravity Local Development OrderWhat are Local Development OrdersPurpose of the Gravity Local Development OrderWhat the adopted Gravity Local Development Order permitsLocal Development Order documentsAccessing the full LDO Documentation

Gravity Local Development Order

The Council has adopted a Local Development Order for the Gravity Enterprise Zone, which is located near Puriton, just off Junction 23 of the M5, previously known as the former Royal Ordnance Factory. The site is an identified strategic growth location, and benefits from an existing planning consent for employment. This has already facilitated the remediation of the site and the completion of the new link road.

The Council agreed the Gravity Local Development Order on 22 December 2021, subject to the signing of a Section 106 Agreement and minor amendments to the documentation to incorporate the results of public consultation. On 23 February 2022 the Gravity Local Development Order was formally adopted.

The Gravity Local Development Order sets out a simplified planning process to facilitate the delivery of substantial commercial floorspace (up to 1.1 million square meters for an advanced manufacturing facility and smart campus, including a wide range of supporting uses and associated infrastructure). Proposals coming forward that comply with the parameters and conditions of the Local Development Order will not require any formal application for planning permission. The Local Development Order therefore represents a streamlined, flexible, and agile planning process for future occupiers.

What are Local Development Orders

Local Development Orders are positive planning tools which provide the opportunity to incentivise development in a particular location by simplifying the planning process and making investment more attractive. They support the delivery of a site by effectively granting consent for particular types of development that the Local Planning Authority wish to see come forward by setting development parameters or zoning. They are proactive in reducing uncertainty and acting as a marketing and delivery tool by offering a quicker and more agile planning process. More information generally on Local Development Orders and the process for preparing them is available from the Local Development Orders Frequently Asked Questions document.

Purpose of the Gravity Local Development Order

Gravity is at the centre of national, regional, and local thinking in terms of clean growth objectives and adapting to climate change. The Local Development Order will assist in accelerating the site’s realisation and delivery of its clean growth ambitions. It will enable the Council and Gravity to respond quickly to new opportunities and complement the site’s Enterprise Zone status by offering a more agile and responsive planning process. This will be a significant competitive advantage when promoting the site both nationally and internationally to potential occupiers.

What the adopted Gravity Local Development Order permits

The adopted Gravity Local Development Order effectively grants planning permission for future proposals in accordance with development parameters set out in the Order without the need for a planning application. The acceptance of any development/use is dependent on compliance with the other key management documents of the Local Development Order, the conditions, design guide, conclusions of the Environmental Statement and the mitigation checklist.  

Development permitted by the adopted Gravity Local Development Order is set out below: 


Gravity – Advanced manufacturing

Use classDefinitionLimitationsIndicative use relating to Gravity
Use classB2 / B8 / E(a-g) / Sui GenerisDefinitionGeneral Industrial UseLimitationsTotal Gross External Area (GEA) of up to 1,000,000m2 Indicative use relating to GravityAdvanced manufacturing (AM)

Gravity – Supporting employment uses

Use classDefinitionLimitationsIndicative use relating to Gravity
Use classB8DefinitionStorage or Distribution LimitationsTotal Gross External Area of up to 1,000,000m2 Indicative use relating to GravityData Centre / AM Supply Chain
Use classE (a) to (g) DefinitionCommercial, Business and Service LimitationsIncluded in above Indicative use relating to GravityResearch and development
Use classSui Generis DefinitionUses which do not fall within the specified use classes above.  LimitationsIncluded in above Indicative use relating to GravityEV charging station

Gravity – Supporting uses

Use classDefinitionLimitationsIndicative use relating to Gravity
Use classC1 DefinitionHotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided LimitationsTotal Gross External Area of up to 35,000m2 Indicative use relating to GravityOn site hotel. Temporary workforce accommodation for contractors (not included within the GEA limitations) .
Use classC2DefinitionResidential InstitutionsLimitationsIncluded in above Indicative use relating to GravityDay nursery, sport and leisure indoor facilities, gym, retail, café, health centre
Use classE (a) to (g) DefinitionCommercial, Business and Service LimitationsIncluded in above Indicative use relating to GravityCommunity building – replacement 37 Club
Use classFDefinitionLocal Community and Learning LimitationsIncluded in above Indicative use relating to GravityHomes to meet commercial operator requirements

Gravity – Dwelling houses

Use classDefinitionLimitationsIndicative use relating to Gravity
Use classC3DefinitionDwelling housesLimitationsUp to 750 dwellingsIndicative use relating to GravityHomes to meet commercial operator requirements

In addition, the adopted Local Development Order permits operations or engineering works necessary to enable the development of the site, associated infrastructure and minor operations. The permitted development and uses are set out in full within the Local Development Order document.

Local Development Order documents

The adopted Local Development Order includes number of documents which were subject to public consultation. These can be broadly divided into the following 6 categories:

The complete list and structure of documents is shown in the Local Development Order document diagram (PDF 68.7KB).

Accessing the full LDO Documentation

To access all the LDO documentation (including the full Environmental Statement and the Other Documents) please use the link below which will take you to the Council’s planning online pages where you can access all material relating to the LDO including consultation material and responses as well as the final LDO documents.

Planning Online

Last reviewed: August 24, 2023 by Qi

Next review due: February 24, 2024

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