An unauthorised encampment of ‘travellers’ has moved in at the former Leanchoil Hospital on St Leonard’s Road.
Several vans and caravans appeared this morning (Thursday 5 September) in front of the building, which is currently out of use, and awaiting planning permission for conversion into a multi-generational activity centre by the Leanchoil Trust.
However, the road past the hospital is a vital route for the Scottish Ambulance Service which is located behind the building.
Chair of the trustees, Marianne Nicolson, gave the following statement: “Leanchoil trustees are aware of the encampment of travellers on the former hospital site, and have advised the owners, NHS Grampian, of this. Police Scotland have been on site to assess the situation.
“Our main concern is the security and preservation of the buildings, but we have to wait for officials from NHS Grampian to take the appropriate action.
“Meantime the site remains an active ambulance station.”
The trust has recently applied for the first level of planning permission to transform the building into an activity centre for all ages.
