Leanchoil Trust has secured £93,650 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support their plans to save and transform Leanchoil Hospital.
The Trust’s ‘Leanchoil – Growing Wellbeing from Heritage’ project aims to save the historic B-listed Leanchoil Cottage Hospital in Forres, Moray, for the community and repurpose it as a centre for community health and wellbeing together with veterans’ support.
Thanks to National Lottery players a development grant of £93,650 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help Leanchoil Trust progress its plans and apply for up to £1.37 million delivery support from the Heritage Fund. The total project cost is estimated to be around £5 million so this award is a great step towards achieving the goal.
Working with valued partners
During the development phase, Leanchoil Trust will continue to work closely with its valued partners, Erskine, Hanover Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service, to evolve its plans to secure Leanchoil Hospital’s long-term future and prepare the delivery phase application, due to be submitted in 2025. A programme of events and activities focussing on Leanchoil’s heritage will be planned and there will be opportunities for the public to get involved as a volunteer or participant.
The development funding will help Leanchoil Trust to advance its plans in this next important stage towards finalising designs, obtaining planning consents, formalising partnerships, contributing to staffing, raising funding and exploring new exciting options for the site.
The Trust has concluded conditional missives with NHS Grampian for the sale of the Leanchoil site, and transfer of ownership is anticipated in early 2025. The hospital refurbishment programme will create a state-of-the-art space for community use whilst retaining the historic beauty of Leanchoil and its landscape. The Leanchoil Centre will provide health and wellbeing facilities, a café and a dedicated veterans’ activity centre, which it is hoped will open in 2027.
Community ownership
Leanchoil Hospital served the community of the Forres area for over 130 years and holds a special place in many people’s hearts. It was built by local subscriptions and donations, and it is fitting that it should return to community ownership to once again support health and wellbeing.
Professor Marianne Nicolson, Chair of Leanchoil Trust, said: “The award allows our ongoing plans for Leanchoil to progress to the next stage, and we look forward to continuing our engagement with the local community to deliver a refreshed, multipurpose Leanchoil for the benefit of local people of all ages.”