COMMUNITY UPDATE EVENT
Members of the local community attended a Leanchoil update event hosted by the Trustees.
Photograph courtesy of the Forres Gazette
Update on Leanchoil following Coronavirus outbreak
A statement from the Trustees:
“The Trustees of Leanchoil have had to put the future plans for Leanchoil on hold. This is because Erskine, the major anchor tenant, has had to stop work on all future projects until the way forward can be seen through Covid-19. Erskine hope to be able to renew their firm interest in Leanchoil sometime in the future.
“The Leanchoil Trust has been giving further consideration to other options for the use of other parts of the site including local health and well-being services and accommodation in accordance with the wishes of the local community. The Trust will continue these efforts within the limitations of the Covid-19 situation.
“The Trust has had extremely positive discussions with NHS Grampian despite their current priorities.
“However, the implications of Erskine’s position and of Covid-19 generally mean that the Community Asset Transfer process will have to be put on hold.
“The Leanchoil Trust is obviously disappointed by Erskine’s situation which has been forced upon them by the Covid-19 virus situation and wishes them well at this difficult time.
“The Trustees wish to thank everyone in the community for the tremendous support and enthusiasm that has been given to the project so far.
“The Trustees will keep everyone informed of future progress”
MSP offers support for Leanchoil
MORAY’s MSP has thrown his weight behind the Leanchoil Hospital project which aims to breathe new life into the former hospital.
Richard Lochhead visited Leanchoil Hospital in Forres with trustees to see how they envisage the building can be redeveloped.
It is hoped that the historic building will be transformed into a veterans’ activity centre which will be run by armed forces charity Erskine and a well-being hub for the community.
And the Leanchoil Trust is currently in talks with NHS Grampian about a community asset transfer of the site following a recent valuation.
Following the visit, Mr Lochhead said he is happy to lend his support to the project.
Heritage
He said: “I congratulate the trustees for all their hard work as they strive to take forward their ambitious and welcome vision for Leanchoil. The former hospital is an important part of the area’s heritage and the impressive buildings hold many memories for the local community and are a local treasure. It is therefore heartening to know the plans to breathe new life into Leanchoil are making good progress.
“I found the tour and briefing enormously valuable and it is easy to imagine how the site could be turned into something special and how new services for the community could be delivered from there following refurbishment. If Erskine were to choose Leanchoil as their first base outside of the central belt for a veteran’s activity centre this would be superb for Forres and help boost the town’s profile and it would also be such a good fit with the needs of Moray given that we have a large veterans population.
Support
“I will certainly be lending my support to the project and am speaking to NHS Grampian to press for a smooth and timely community asset transfer. I have also pledged to work with the trustees and community to see what can be done to secure funding for the site’s redevelopment and I will also be speaking to relevant Scottish Government colleagues to let them know about these exciting plans.”
Major General Seymour Monro, one of six trustees involved in the redeveloped said: “Mr Lochhead spent a good hour with us at the former Leanchoil Hospital and seem enthused by the plans ahead.
“We were delighted to be able to show him around the main building where it is hoped Erskine would base themselves should our ambitious plans go ahead. Having Mr Lochhead visit, was a real boost to us as trustees and hearing his positive comments and his intention to support the project going forward will only go toward helping us on our way to developing a sensational hub for veterans and the community of Forres and beyond.”
Earlier this month (Feb 5), over 100 people attended a public briefing about the future of the site where they also took part in an important community impact assessment which will be used to secure funds to take the project forward.
Leanchoil Trust | STV News 5th May 2020
Ahead of the public meeting on Wednesday 5th February Graham Hilditch Chair of Forres Community Council appeared on STV News.
Update on Leanchoil – Community Events
A Community Update Event – Thursday 11th November 2021
Join the Trustees of Leanchoil Trust for an update on progress of the Community Asset Transfer and plans for Leanchoil Hopsital.
Thursday 11th November
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Forres Town Hall
We are also holding 2 pop-in sessions:
Tolbooth – Saturday 6th November
Pop in anytime between 11am – 3.00pm
Forres Town Hall – Thursday 11th November
Pop in anytime between 2 – 4.00pm
Public support bolsters plan for Leanchoil
Over 100 people have attended a public briefing about the future of Leanchoil, one of Forres’ most historic buildings.
Members of the soon to be formed Leanchoil Trust which aims to redevelop the former Leanchoil Hospital have said they are thrilled with the response.
The briefing provided attendees with an update on plans for the hospital and they also took part in an important community impact assessment which will be used to secure funds to take the
project forward.
The initiative to ensure the future of Leanchoil Hospital which stands in extensive grounds off St Leonard’s Road in Forres has been led by Forres Community Council.
It is hoped that the former hospital will be transformed into a veterans’ activity centre and well-being hub for the community.
Talks are progressing positively with veterans’ charity Erskine who are keen to use the main hospital building which would become their first facility outside of the central belt.
Negotiations
Negotiations are also underway with NHS Grampianabout a community asset transfer of the site following a recent valuation.
Graham Hilditch, chairman of the community council and a founding member of The Leanchoil Trust said: “”It was very encouraging to see so many of the local community come out on a February evening to support the Leanchoil project. It has taken us nearly two years of effort to get to this point, but with the public behind us, I am sure that we can deliver an innovative health and well-being hub for the local people.”
He added: “With the support of Erskine, we can confidently look forward to the next phase of the project, where we can address the wellbeing needs of the local community. The next few months will be crucial to the success of the project. With local community support and a strong business plan, we can confidently apply for a Community Asset Transfer from NHS Grampian and apply to the Scottish Land Fund to fund the purchase of the site. By Spring, we will have a clear picture of the long term future of the project.”
Incredible turnout
Major General Seymour Monro, who is working alongside Graham and four other trustees on the project echoed Graham’s thoughts on the night: “I thought the turnout was incredible and demonstrates the very real interest the local community has in the future of Leanchoil. I was also very encouraged that everyone was impressed with our plans for Leanchoil and particularly for the major involvement of Erskine. I am sure that the Community Impact Assessment will reflect that and I am equally sure there will be some good ideas for us to digest.
He added: This is a great project and it will be a success from which Forres and the surrounding area will benefit. Leanchoil, our former cottage hospital, will once again be a centre for health and wellbeing.”