Report awaited into public views for Grantown’s former Ian Charles Hospital
The Strathy understands there is overwhelming support for developing Grantown’s redundant Ian Charles Hospital into key worker accommodation.
The results of the community consultation carried out in October to garner local views on the future use of the building which closed in 2022 are expected to be revealed soon.
The hospital shut following the overhaul of local health services and included the opening of the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Hospital in Aviemore and the creation of an improved health centre in the Strathspey capital.
As NHS Highland considered its options, the Grantown Initiative registered an interest on behalf of the community for the site.
This was to ‘mobilise the community to safeguard he hospital site’ according to Linda Coe, chair of the Ian Charles Redevelopment Steering Committee which has the backing of Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing. The survey ran until its November 13 deadline and since then the results have been compiled and studied.
“There was an excellent response,” confirmed Karen Derrick, chair of the Grantown Initiative, “with just over 450 contributing their views and around 60 people attending the drop ins at the Grantown Hub to talk to us about the project in November.
“The consultants are writing up the report which will be with us soon for the next stage of the feasibility work.”
Confirmed was an overwhelming majority of people in favour of supporting the ideas of key worker accommodation to support Grantown’s healthcare, social care and education services in particular.
“Support for key hospitality businesses also got a mention,” said Ms Derrick.
Residents were informed as part of the poll: “Whatever happens at the site needs to be led by what the community wants. We want to hear your views on this idea and get your suggestions about how the site could be used to benefit the Grantown community.”
Mr Ewing told the Strathy that he very much welcomed the consultation.
“It is right that the people of Grantown and district should have their say, not least because that was the wish of the original owners of the Ian Charles, and that it was thanks to their generosity that the buildings were used for a cottage hospital.
“I had understood, from much discussion during the campaign to restore the funding for the completion of the construction work , that one purpose under active consideration was buildings be converted for housing.
Organisations including the Grantown Initiative, the town’s community council, Grantown Society and town business association commissioned the feasibility study to explore purchase and use of the site.
Ms Coe said: “The initial idea for the site is that it could be used to tackle the shortage of accommodation for key workers in the area.
“Comfortable short to mid-term temporary accommodation could enable trainee health and education professionals to take up temporary placements in Grantown, bringing extra capacity and skills.
“It could also provide initial accommodation to enable people to take up professional employment in the area.”
The hospital was built and gifted to the town in 1885 by Caroline Stuart, Dowager Countess of Seafield.
The Strathy understands there is overwhelming support for developing Grantown’s redundant Ian Charles Hospital into key worker accommodation.
The results of the community consultation carried out in October to garner local views on the future use of the building which closed in 2022 are expected to be revealed soon.
The hospital shut following the overhaul of local health services and included the opening of the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Hospital in Aviemore and the creation of an improved health centre in the Strathspey capital.
As NHS Highland considered its options, the Grantown Initiative registered an interest on behalf of the community for the site.
This was to ‘mobilise the community to safeguard he hospital site’ according to Linda Coe, chair of the Ian Charles Redevelopment Steering Committee which has the backing of Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing.
The survey ran until its November 13 deadline and since then the results have been compiled and studied.
“There was an excellent response,” confirmed Karen Derrick, chair of the Grantown Initiative, “with just over 450 contributing their views and around 60 people attending the drop ins at the Grantown Hub to talk to us about the project in November.
“The consultants are writing up the report and that will be with us soon for the next stage of the feasibility work.”
Confirmed was an overwhelming majority of people in favour of supporting the ideas of key worker accommodation to support Grantown's healthcare, social care and education services in particular.
“Support for key hospitality businesses also got a mention,” said Ms Derrick.
Residents were informed as part of the poll: “Whatever happens at the site needs to be led by what the community wants.
“We want to hear your views on this idea and get your suggestions about how the site could be used to benefit the Grantown community.”
Mr Ewing told the Strathy that he very much welcomed the consultation.
“It is right that the people of Grantown and district should have their say, not least because that was the wish of the original owners of the Ian Charles, and that it was thanks to their generosity that the buildings were used for a cottage hospital.
“Now its purpose has been served, the use should be one which accords with the wishes of local people.
“I had understood, from much discussion during the campaign to restore the funding for the completion of the construction work , that one purpose very much under active consideration was that the buildings be converted for housing.
“I am sure that will be considered, and certainly there is a serious shortage of housing as everyone knows. I will be interested to see what suggestions come forward in the consultation process.”
Organisations including the Grantown Initiative, the town’s community council, Grantown Society and town business association commissioned the feasibility study to explore purchase and use of the site.
Ms Coe said: “The initial idea for the site is that it could be used to tackle the shortage of accommodation for key workers in the area, helping to sustain Grantown’s vital health, education and social care services.
“Comfortable short to mid term temporary accommodation at the site could enable trainee health and education professionals to take up temporary placements in Grantown, bringing extra capacity and skills.
“It could also provide initial accommodation to enable people to take up professional employment in the area, before moving on to more permanent housing once settled here.”
The hospital was built and gifted to the town in 1885 by Caroline Stuart, Dowager Countess of Seafield.