A MULTI-MILLION pound project is creating a new Runcorn home for one of the UK’s leading energy services company.

It will provide accommodation for 180 staff of Wood Group PSN, which is expanding its operations in the north west.

The development is being built by SOG Limited at The Heath Business and Technical Park.

John Lewis, SOG managing director, said: “The building we are now constructing is the second phase of our extensive new-build programme to keep pace with the demand for additional space from our resident businesses and potential new businesses wishing to relocate to The Heath.

“Once again we are developing a high quality and state-of-the-art extension to fully complement the standards of our phase one development.

“Large areas of glazing will provide occupants with countryside views and natural light while being carefully designed to avoid adverse glare from sunlight. It’s an open plan layout with breakout areas, formal meetings rooms, archive rooms, toilets and well-fare facilities.”

The new building is due to be completed in September, 2014.

More than 170 individual organisations, ranging from forensic science and IT specialists to website designers and government agencies are based at the park.

Graham Jackson, Wood Group PSN’s North England Operations Manager, said: “The north has an abundance of highly qualified engineers and designers and we have been steadily increasing our network of personnel to service our growing number of North Sea contracts.

“Our recruitment campaigns from Runcorn have been extremely successful which means we require more space for our team here in the north west.”

The company, which employs more than 300 people in Runcorn, will retain some of the office space it currently occupies in other buildings at The Heath.

Recent surveys suggest oil and gas workers earn more than three times the national average with salaries in the UK energy industry averaging more than £80,000 per year.