Power station completes office project

A TWO-year investment project to refurbish office and workspace at Drax Power Station in Yorkshire has been completed.

The project involved more than 100,000 sq ft of office and workshop areas within several buildings to create a more modern working environment for the plant’s employees, which number more than 700. 

The building, project management and consultancy (BPMC) department of Leeds-based property consultants GVA Grimley was instructed to act as the employer’s agent and controlled the cost analysis and coordination of material specifications and design, in addition to the project management of the work throughout the programme.

Jon Anderson, director of GVA Grimley’s BPMC department, said: “The completed works were designed to improve employee facilities and functionality with the introduction of fully refurbished offices and ancillary accommodation, a new restaurant, meeting suites, a modern laboratory and a state-of-the-art visitor centre.

“The project was the largest coordinated refurbishment programme that has ever taken place at the site since it was constructed in the 1970s and it ensures the working environment and facilities for visitors on site are second to none.”

Following the project, GVA Grimley has been instructed to complete a maintenance plan to ensure that the recently refurbished accommodation is kept in good condition.

Elements of the power station outside the scope of the initial refurbishment are also being assessed in terms of preventative maintenance, such as roof coverings, external walls and windows.

Mr Anderson added: “We’re also in the process of devising an overall accommodation strategy to review Drax’s property portfolio requirements over the next phase of its expansion.”