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