January 2026 newsletter

January 2026 newsletter

by | Jan 13, 2026 | Latest News

On behalf of all Leanchoil Trustees, I wish you a happy and healthy 2026.

It is going to be a big year for us, as we anticipate imminent news from Moray Council about our planning application. We are cautiously optimistic that the opinion will be positive which will allow further progress in our aim to develop Leanchoil for the benefit of Forres and local residents.

Plans are currently being discussed to resolve the asbestos situation that exists within Leanchoil. Thereafter, the purchase (community asset transfer) from NHS Grampian of the Leanchoil buildings and site will be completed. Preparation work for the refurbishment of the main building and demolition of the former maternity building will follow.

We will be organising events onsite as soon as we own Leanchoil and will be launching a fundraising campaign to help with specific projects.

We are also going to advertise for two new trustees, so please consider joining us to achieve all that we can for Leanchoil. More details on this will follow shortly.

It is all very exciting and, as always, we welcome your ideas and comments, either by emailing us at info@leanchoiltrust.org or via our Facebook page.

Thank you for your support as we enter this dynamic phase of development.

Warmest regards,
Marianne Nicolson
Chair, Leanchoil Trust

 

 

 

Proposed layouts, ecologigal appraisal & conservation report

Proposed layouts, ecologigal appraisal & conservation report

by | Oct 7, 2025 | Latest News

REPORTS

Please click on the links below to download the reports in pdf format:
Conservation Plan

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

PROPOSED LAYOUTS

Click on the images below to view enlarged proposed layouts and elevations

Leanchoil Elevations

Proposed Housing Elevations

Proposed Housing Elevations2

Proposed Housing First Floor Plan

Proposed Housing Ground Floor Plan

Proposed Housing Second Floor Plan

Proposed Leanchoil Layout

Proposed supported Housing Elevations

January 2026 newsletter

MAY 2025 newsletter

by | May 12, 2025 | Latest News

Leanchoil Update

This newsletter is slightly later than normal as the Leanchoil Trust was keen to pay tribute to Jo Lenihan, our Development Officer, who retired at the end of April. While saluting Jo with all best wishes for her retirement and thanks for the fantastic work she has done for LT, we also welcome her replacement, Nigel Tiddy. Nigel has taken up post and will continue to establish new community links, funding streams and other factors that will ensure the continued progress of the Leanchoil project.

One of the key points of progress is that we have a good idea of the internal layout of the main Leanchoil centre. Meetings with architects LDN have resulted in a sound, flexible plan that enables us to estimate the opportunities for using and renting the rooms so that needs can be met of the many community groups who have expressed interest in locating their meetings at Leanchoil.

On the point of sustaining the Leanchoil centre in the future, we are most grateful to the Berryburn Community Fund who enabled us to commission a feasibility study on future development of the former Nurses’ Home. This beautiful building at the rear of the Leanchoil site will be refurbished as a separate, integrated project and the plan is to consider commercial uses such as key worker accommodation. We await the final feasibility report and will share information with you when it is available.

A further important piece of news is that it is now possible for you to make financial contributions to support Leanchoil. We are finalising the details of accepting donations through the website and at public events where LT will have a presence, for example at the Forres Highland Games on 5th July.
We anticipate the planning application for Leanchoil to be submitted to Moray Council in July and believe that our purchase of the site should be completed in the near future. Then the fun really begins!

With thanks, as always, for your support.
Marianne Nicolson
Chair, Leanchoil Trust

Proposed layouts, ecologigal appraisal & conservation report

Fundraising Prospectus

by | May 7, 2025 | Latest News

Our recently published fund-raising prospectus is now available here. It details our fund-raising to date, and our target for bridging the financial gap that will trigger match-funding from institutional supporters. Should you be interested in becoming a donor, please contact us at info@leanchoiltrust.org and a Trustee will be in touch.

January 2026 newsletter

JANUARY 2025 newsletter

by | Jan 25, 2025 | Latest News

Leanchoil Update

Here we are already half way through January, and on behalf of the Leanchoil Trust Board members I hope that 2025 is going well for you. The past two months have seen good progress in that we have had a very positive pre-planning opinion from Moray Council that facilitates our onward march to full planning application. There are many surveys that are required before then, and work is ongoing in that regard.

Last week we had confirmation that Hanover Scotland has agreed terms with Robertson Property for progression to the next stage of planning for rebuilding the old maternity unit. Again, the background work has been substantial and the importance of our partners’ confidence is most encouraging.

We are continuing discussions with the Scottish Ambulance Service, Forres Health Centre, STEM and others to plan the interior of the main Leanchoil building, assisting architects LDN to produce a draft of rooms and specialist spaces that are required. While focusing on the main building and Hanover’s supported living section, we are grateful for financial support received from Berry Burn Community Fund for a feasibility report on development of the old Nurses’ Home.

We really hope that the momentum can be maintained. There has been significant deterioration to the interiors of Leanchoil, which is to be expected given the time that has elapsed since the hospital was closed. The Leanchoil Trust website will keep you informed of progress between newsletters, and we look forward to seeing all of you at a further public engagement event in the Spring.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.
With warm regards,
Marianne Nicolson
Chair, Leanchoil Trust