Moves to re-purpose a former hospital into a community hub for health and wellbeing has reached a major milestone.
Described as a ‘trailblazer’ for similar projects across the UK, draft plans for the conversion of the former Leanchoil hospital in Forres have been prepared as part of a pre-planning submission. A detailed planning application is expected to be submitted to Moray Council later this year.
Leanchoil trustees and Inverness-based architects LDN have been developing site plans to turn the listed building into a wide-ranging facility for the local community. The unique building and grounds will offer activities and services to support wellbeing, social engagement, volunteering, employment and learning for all ages, bringing long-lasting benefits to the people of Forres and its rural communities.
Plans include space for health and wellbeing facilities, a café, a STEM classroom for early years children, an immersive/interactive suite, and a digital health support facility. In addition, the Scottish Ambulance Service station will remain on site.
Development proposals include the construction of a 38-unit building on the site of the former maternity wing by project partners Hanover Scotland. The new building will provide supported accommodation for older people and those of all ages with additional needs.
Chair of the Leanchoil trustees, Marianne Nicolson, said agreeing the draft proposals at a meeting this week was a big day for the trust and its supporters.
“Getting to this stage means we are making tangible progress towards our goal,” she said.
“There is still a long way to go and we’ll need a big injection of cash – about £4million – to realise the final vision we have for Leanchoil. However, this shows we’re on our way. The recent withdrawal of Erskine Veterans Charity from the project means we now have more space and can better mould the premises to the needs of the local area, which is reflected in our latest plans.
“I believe this project will become a trailblazer across the UK for re-purposing large redundant buildings for community use.”
The project has secured funding so far from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Scottish Land Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Berry Burn Community Fund, and Crown Estates.
Leanchoil Hospital was built in 1892 with funding from the Forres-born businessman and philanthropist Lord Strathcona and local subscriptions. The quality of the original construction means the building is structurally in generally excellent condition, giving more options for the re-purposing of the interior.
Should planning consent be agreed contracts would then be finalised and work could start on site in the spring of 2026.
He has been a champion fundraiser for charities that support military veterans, but now his focus is on raising even more for the Leanchoil project.
Albert Duffus, a former sergeant major in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, has been fund-raising since 2013 and has already raised £24,000 for Leanchoil through his annual golf competitions at Forres Golf Club.
Albert, 73, served for 28 years in the regiment. His father and four brothers also served, and at one point all six were in the same regiment. His home in Forres is adorned with mementos and pictures of his distinguished military background, as well as certificates and grateful acknowledgements of his fundraising achievements from veteran’s charities. Atop of all these is the British Empire Medal, awarded for fundraising for veteran’s charities and for services to boxing.
Speaking this week, Albert says the Leanchoil project will be vital for the area.
“I know many veterans who will be glad to see it up and running as a wellbeing and support centre,” he said.
“I was born there, and I think it’s an ideal place, with the grounds and space inside to really help veterans who are either alone and needing some companionship or help in some way. It’s a great place to just chill out and enjoy it, which is sometimes all someone needs.
“Obviously I’m all for veterans benefitting, but it will be a place for pensioners and anyone else to get them out of the house and mixing with others. Sitting alone in the house can be a killer, so I can see the bigger picture than veterans alone; everyone can benefit.”
Albert and his wife, Sheena, play golf four times a week at Forres Golf Club where he holds his charity matches. The course is next door to Leanchoil, and Albert believes that a favourable tie-up between the two is quite possible to provide access to the game of golf.
“It keeps you active and your head busy,” he said. “And there’s a social element too, so many would benefit from getting into the game.”
The impetus for fundraising came after his son, Mark, was killed in Afghanistan while working for an American security firm in 2013. Of the 90k raised so far since that first charity golf match, much of the money has been given to Erskine Veterans and Poppy Scotland. However, since the Leanchoil project came into being he has made the Leanchoil Trust one of the main beneficiaries of his endeavours.
Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Maj Gen Seymour Monro, who is also the President of the Leanchoil Trust, said Albert’s fundraising was inspirational.
“Albert was my Company Sergeant Major in Northern Ireland and Fort George.
“He has raised a tremendous amount for veterans’ charities, and we are very grateful he has decided the Leanchoil project is now his number one priority.
“Leanchoil will provide outstanding facilities and support for veterans and many other members of the local community. Albert is its biggest individual donor; what a star!”
There are 38 supported units planned for the Leanchoil project site, which will be available for a mix of ages that need some help to live independently. A pre-planning submission was made last week to Moray Council, in advance of a detailed planning application to be submitted later this year.
The trust has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Pilgrim’s Trust, the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Scottish Land Fund and others. It needs to raise a further 4.5million to complete the conversion work.
NHS Grampian Board has unanimously approved the asset transfer request submitted in December 2021 by Leanchoil Trust, the organisation set up to save Leanchoil and its grounds for the local community. The Trust was praised for the content and quality of work which had gone into the request.
The full community asset transfer process could take up to a year to finalise before the whole 10-acre site, including the woods at the rear, comes into the ownership of the local community. A purchase price of £340,000 has been agreed for Leanchoil, and the Trust has current funding applications ongoing to raise this sum, and additional costs. This will be followed by a major funding campaign to raise the £4 million plus which will be required to refurbish the health and wellbeing facility in the old main building.
Leanchoil trust has been working closely with leading veterans’ charity, Erskine, for some time to potentially create a veterans activity centre within the health and wellbeing building. This would be the first centre in the north of Scotland and would serve the large number of veterans in the Forres and wider area. In the short term, until the refurbishment work is completed, Leanchoil and Erskine have been investigating the potential use of the Nurses’ Home at the back of the main building as a temporary home for the activity centre.
It is planned that the Scottish Ambulance Service will remain on the site and eventually be relocated to the new health and wellbeing facility which is being planned for part of the original Leanchoil hospital.
Leanchoil are also talking with Health and Social Care Moray, and various third sector organisations.
The long-term vision is to create a busy health and wellbeing centre with café, meeting rooms and clinics. The café would be the hub of the health village which could include supported living accommodation with a range of facilities on site to assist both residents and the local community.
Leanchoil Chairman, Graham Hilditch said, “this is a huge step forward for the Trust and our mission of saving Leanchoil and bringing it in to the ownership of the local community. The trustees have worked hard over the last four years to reach this point. There is much still to do, but we are confident that we can create an innovative health and wellbeing village, which will serve the needs of the community”.
