Construction work on new £12m sustainable employment premises at the Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site is under way, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced.

The Welsh Government, in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, is building 32,500 square feet of low carbon offices, light industrial units and hybrid spaces for letting across three buildings.

It is hoped it the project will provide innovative and modern commercial space for businesses to grow in the local area.

With support from the Active Building Centre, the project may help transform the way commercial buildings are powered and heated.

The new buildings will generate electricity using on-site renewables and incorporate high levels of insulation to deliver a low carbon development with reduced running costs.

The Welsh government is investing £5.9million in the project, with additional funding contributions being made by Carmarthenshire County Council and the Active Building Centre.

Another £3.25million funding has also been awarded to the project by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government. The main contractor for the development is Andrew Scott Limited.

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Speaking as the COP27 UN climate summit takes place in Egypt, economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “The Welsh government is taking decisive action to tackle the climate change crisis, so that we build a better green future for our country.

“This new development does exactly that, by demonstrating superb low carbon credentials.

“With the support of the Active Building Centre, I hope it can become a launchpad for further low carbon employment space, promote new technologies and provide essential data on the benefits low carbon buildings can deliver.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture and tourism, Cllr Gareth John said: “We are pleased to deliver these high-quality commercial premises, which will bring much needed employment space to the area.

“This investment by Carmarthenshire County Council and Welsh Government demonstrates our desire to continue the development of Carmarthenshire’s Strategic Employment Site.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen said: “This development is a clear indicator of the action the Council is taking to meet its net zero carbon 2030 commitment.

“We are pleased to be delivering such a significant demonstrator project, which has the potential to lead the way in terms of highly sustainable commercial buildings.”