Could Labour Be Standing In The Way Of Wales’ Life Science Village?
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Llanelli in Wales could see a £200 million wellness and life science village being built, but the Labour opposition in the area is blocking plans for the project to go ahead.
Wales Online has reported how councillors in Carmarthenshire have disagreed over the future of the initiative, which is one of 11 city deal projects planned for the region.
This is despite the BBC reporting in January that Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee has approved the site, which will include health, leisure and life science research facilities.
Alun Lenny, Plaid member, the Wales Online: “There is a difference between scrutiny and sabotage.”
He stated Labour has “constantly and vehemently taken every opportunity to criticise and put in place obstacles in front of this hugely important project”.
This is despite the fact that the site could create nearly 2,000 jobs for the local public.
Leader of the Opposition, Labour councillor Rob James has now asked the local authority to support two of four reviews of the city deal.
He added his concern about the council’s huge debt, amounting to more than £400 million, and wanted to determine what private sector partners – who have invested £130 million in the initiative – would stand to get from it.
Another Labour councillor Deryk Cundy added his own reservations, despite claiming the village was a “golden opportunity” for the area.
He stated: “Adequate scrutiny was not possible in a climate of secrecy.”
According to Mr Lenny, Labour should have to personally explain to those in Llanelli and Carmarthenshire its part to play if the project does not go ahead.
If the site is approved, life science marketing specialists will be needed to ensure it gains the amount of publicity and interest it deserves.