Leanchoil Trust commissions asbestos survey, tree condition report and concept plan ahead of asset transfer of site from NHS Grampian
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Surveys are being carried out at a much-loved local building ahead of its Community Asset Transfer.
The Leanchoil Trust has commissioned an asbestos survey, tree condition report and concept plan while legal aspects of the transfer from NHS Grampian are finalised.
Trust chairman Graham Hilditch confirmed the NHS provided a historic asbestos survey but, as part of the planning process, the trust has commissioned a new report.
He explained: “Asbestos in buildings of this age is not unusual, and the issue will be addressed.”
A mature wood of around four acres behind the hospital borders Forres Golf Course and houses.
Mr Hilditch said: “We are required to undertake a woodland survey, including checking the condition of each tree. We are keen to maintain the woods for health and wellbeing uses, and we have ideas for walks, a forest school nursery etc.”
The Leanchoil project’s concept plan could be completed in the next 12 months.
Mr Hilditch added: “LDN Architects will generate drawings to enable visualisation of the development.”
Funding for the purchase of the site was secured from the Scottish Land Fund last year - design briefs are being worked on and it is hoped that consents will be in place by2024.
Mr Hilditch said: “We have £340,000 ring-fenced to purchase the site and grounds. This will bring them into local ownership, owned by, and run by people of the area. We have raised a similar amount of money to pay for reports, surveys and running costs to date. We have a funded development officer but all of the other work so far has been undertaken at no cost by volunteers and trustees.”
The Leanchoil Trust estimates renovating and modernising the former hospital will cost around £4million.
Mr Hilditch said: “We hope to raise much of the funding through grant applications but we may need to consider loans and will need businesses and the public to contribute. Our business plan will ensure that running costs are funded and we have long term viability when the complex is open to the public.”
Final transfer of ownership will happen when planning consents and partners are secured, and funding for the refurbishment of the main building are in place. Following this, the main hospital building will become a health and wellbeing centre, owned and run by the community.
“We need partners to share the facilities,” said Mr Hilditch. “These could include social housing providers to provide supported living accommodation, the Scottish Ambulance Service, who are keen to remain on site, health service providers and third sector organisations and veterans’ organisations such as Erskine. We also need the public to support us by becoming members of the trust. There is no cost and it can be done on our website. This will greatly help with funding applications.”
The Leanchoil Trust was recently awarded £35,000 by Crown Estate Scotland, administered by Foundation Scotland, to fund the development officer’s ongoing work. The trust plans to have public engagements this year. ‘Our Leanchoil’, a film commissioned as part of a memory archiving project will also be shown in 2023. See www.leanchoiltrust.org/our-leanchoil for more information.
Mr Hilditch finished: “The project will gain momentum so we need volunteers. We would be delighted to hear from anyone with useful skills or experience.”
