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A former Royal Ordnance Factory site in Somerset is being considered to provide support for Heathrow Airport's expansion.

MPs backed plans to develop a new northwest runway and terminal in June, which is claimed could create 12,300 new jobs and generate £13 billion of economic benefits across the south west.

Heathrow officials have earmarked 65 areas around the UK to build Heathrow logistics hubs.

The centres will participate in off-site construction by pre-assembling components and transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow.

(Image: Grimshaw Architects)

This method aims to boost the project's efficiency and cut emissions by transporting components to London using fewer lorries.

The scheme will be the first major infrastructure project in the UK to pioneer the large-scale use of logistics hubs.

Sedgemoor District Council officials have proposed the former Royal Ordnance Factory, based between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington near Bridgwater, as a site for one of the Heathrow logistics hubs.

(Image: Google)

The 625-acre location has been closed since 2008 but there are plans to redevelop the site for energy related employment uses including a new footpath, cycle routes and a 'green' bridge.

The government has granted the industrial land Enterprise Zone status, meaning it can be developed further to help deliver the Government's industrial strategy.

Heathrow Airport officials have already visited the Puriton site as part of a nationwide tour.

The site is among four locations in the South West to be listed.

Two undisclosed areas in Avonmouth and Severnside and the Tarmac Westbury Works in Westbury are also on the airport's radar.

A further short list will be announced by the airport's bosses later this year before being narrowed down to four final hubs.

Lord Deighton, chairman of Heathrow Airport, previously said the airport's expansion is a national infrastructure project that will "benefit the whole country including right across the south west".

(Image: BAE Systems)

He said: "Logistics hubs are instrumental in our aim to ensure that expansion spreads the huge potential of its £187 billion of economic benefits across the UK and will help to transform the construction industry and build a lasting skills legacy for future generations in various locations across the country and beyond London.

"We are working in partnership with local employers, councils and entrepreneurs to support new opportunities for the region arising from Heathrow expansion through new jobs, economic growth and easier and faster journeys to and from Heathrow and the South West."

Airport bosses found from research conducted by WPI Economics that integrating off-site construction into a major project has the potential to reduce the overall cost of the project by as much as 25 per cent while speeding up delivery by up to 30 per cent.

Officials believe the expansion will lead to a productivity boost worth £30 billion for the industry outside of London by 2025.

Do you have a Bridgwater story you would like to share or for me to investigate? Get in touch: michael.taylor@reachplc.com or 01935 709742.

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