Tower block stop over 'dispute'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7990409.stm

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Work has ground to halt on the tallest residential building in Wales due to a dispute between builders and its developers.

The 29-storey tower in Swansea is only about eight weeks from completion.

Contractor Carrillion confirmed around 100 builders were in the process of withdrawing from the site following a disagreement over pay.

The developers said it would result in a delay but that they had every intention of completing the tower.

The Meridian Quay development on Swansea's foreshore consists of six separate blocks - five of which have been completed with some people now living in them.

The main tower block was due to be completed shortly.

It's first 26 floors are residential with a restaurant due to open at the top.

Chris Hope, a senior partner with the main selling agent Dawsons, said out of 123 apartments in the tower, there had been exchanges on 119 of them and the lease had been agreed on the restaurant.

They were due to be signed off for release in two months.

He said another contractor would have to be found to complete the work and did not know how long a delay that would cause.

He said the problem was not a financial one for the developer Earthquake but that there had been a "disagreement".

Describing the situation as "frustrating", Mr Hope added: "We are very disappointed that we can't come to an agreement. We have every intention of finishing the site."

Builders Carrillion said there had been a disagreement over pay but would not go into any further details.