When the project was officially launched Bangor University said the scheme would create or safeguard 450 jobs during the construction phase, 100 more during the operational stage, and a further 330 jobs through the innovation hub.

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Mr Phillips said the plant would create around 200 jobs during the construction phase and 53 permanent jobs.

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Londoner Slater said she had been lucky enough to see the park during its construction phase: "The transformation from all the mud and machinery back then is amazing, " she told CNN.

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About 16, 000 jobs are expected to be created during the construction of Phase 1, with most of them probably going to locals.

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Above is an image of one of the spire tops at La Sagrada Familia, during the phase of the construction about five years ago.

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"The project will create up to 1, 000 local jobs during the four-year construction phase and 100 local permanent jobs for the 20-year operational life of the project, " he said.

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"It is estimated that, during the development phase, 2, 000 badly needed jobs will be created in the hard-pressed local construction industry, " a spokesperson said.

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