Leanchoil Trust calls for show of public support after submitting asset transfer request to NHS Grampian for site
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THE community is being asked to show support for plans to rejuvenate a historic local building.
The Leanchoil Trust has submitted a formal Asset Transfer Request (ATR) to NHS Grampian to request the sale of the site so that it can be developed into a health and wellbeing centre – the health board is gauging public opinion on the plans.
A trust spokesperson said: “It is anticipated the decision notice on the transfer will be issued in mid-June. The ambition is that the transfer will be complete by early 2023, and, following two years of renovation, the Leanchoil Centre will open in mid-2025. Leanchoil will be an innovative place that inspires our community to focus on their own improved wellbeing.”
Leanchoil Trust’s multi-faceted project will build on public support and collaboration with partners including NHS Grampian, Erskine, Moray Council and Health and Social Care Moray to deliver enduring benefits to Forres and its rural communities. Leanchoil closed its doors in November 2018 after serving the community for over 125 years. Community consultations in 2019 and 2020 identified a desire for the site to be saved and developed. Sited in the old hospital building, the Leanchoil Centre will provide state-of-the-art facilities for health and wellbeing-focused services, an Erskine Veterans’ Activity Centre and a social café.
The expansion of community support facilities to serve the veteran population is a key part of Erskine’s strategy during the coming five years. The charity intends to create a temporary EVAC in the nurses’ home at Leanchoil, before taking occupation within the main building when this is ready. The temporary EVAC plans are progressing well and it is intended that this will open before the end of 2022.
The Scottish Ambulance Service will remain on site and a range of supported living accommodation will be built within the grounds.
The trust spokesperson said: “The trustees have spent the last three years getting the project to this point and the submission of the ATR is a big milestone. However, there is much to do going forward, not least raising some £3-4 million capital funding for the project.”
The support of the community is vital to the success of Leanchoil becoming community owned. It is hoped that people will show support by emailing gram.involve@nhs.scot or in writing to the Public Involvement Team, Foresterhill House, Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZB by April 26.
Support can also be shown by becoming a member of Leanchoil Trust via www.leanchoiltrust.org/membership/
For further information please email info@leanchoiltrust.org
