MSP backs ambitious Leanchoil plans
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MORAY’s MSP is backing a project aimed at breathing new life into a historic local site.
Richard Lochhead recently visited Leanchoil Hospital with its trustees to see how they envisage the building can be redeveloped.
He said: "I found the tour and briefing enormously valuable - 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.
"I have 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."
It is hoped that Leanchoil's main building will be transformed into a veterans’ activity centre run by armed forces charity Erskine, and a well-being hub for the community.
The newly-formed Leanchoil Trust is in talks with NHS Grampian about a Community Assest Transfer of the site.
And earlier this month, over 100 people attended a public briefing about the future of the site and took part in a community impact assessment which will be used to secure funds to take the project forward.
Mr Lochhead 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 heartening to know plans to breathe new life into Leanchoil are making good progress.
"If Erskine were to choose Leanchoil as their first base outside of the Central Belt for a veteran’s activity centre, this would help boost the town’s profile and it would also be a good fit with the needs of Moray, given that we have a large veterans population."
One of the six Leanchoil Trustees , Major General Seymour Monro, finished: "Mr Lochhead spent a good hour with us at the former Leanchoil Hospital and seem enthused.
"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."
