Bouygues UK has been selected by Carmarthenshire County Council to design and build Zone One of its Pentre Awel development.

Pentre Awel is the first development of its scope and size in Wales, bringing together life science innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline.

Having received UK and Welsh Government approval of its £40million Swansea Bay City Deal business case earlier this year, the council has led an extensive tendering process via the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework for contractors to deliver the project.

Zone One will benefit from around £70million of public sector investment and will feature education, business, research, leisure and health facilities to provide transformational social and economic benefits to people in the region.

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The contract, which is one of the highest valued tender exercises the council has ever undertaken, puts a key focus on social value to ensure that local people and businesses will reap the benefits of the ambitious scheme.

Bouygues UK will now work with the council, the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership (RLSP), schools, colleges and universities, as well as local employment agencies such as Workways and Communities for Work to deliver a comprehensive programme of community benefits during the construction phase.

It will mean employment and training opportunities for local people, including jobs for people just starting their careers, apprenticeships, work placements and wider employability support.

There will also be a targeted focus on supporting those who are long-term unemployed or economically inactive, and tailored initiatives in local communities and schools to inspire people towards relevant careers.

Carmarthenshire County Council and Bouygues UK have now entered into an initial pre-construction period.

During this period, further design will be undertaken together with preparation and submission of detailed planning information and preparatory works on site.

Property and construction consultants Gleeds will manage the build contract, supported by design and planning experts Arup.