Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 5:15pm

Community meeting plans for the future of Rosemount

Residents of Rosemount met on Friday evening last to discuss the future of the village amid growing concern over its declining population.

A total of 19 people, representing all areas and groups in the parish, gathered for the meeting which was held at the local community centre.

According to organiser, Fr Tony Gavin, a "very positive" discussion took place which examined ways to tackle the dwindling number of children enrolling in Rosemount's National School and the knock-on effects this could have for the village.

"The key issue is that local residents feel sites should be identified and made available for young couples who want to live in Rosemount and build their home here," he said.

Fr Gavin said Rosemount had seen very little development in the last ten years and he was willing to act as an intermediary for people who may be interested in acquiring a site for the construction of a house in the area.

"People can come to me confidentially if they have a site they might be willing to sell but don't want to advertise. If I know of someone who is interested in acquiring a site I could perhaps act as an intermediary," he said.

In addition to identifying sites for housing developments, the meeting discussed ways to promote Rosemount and generate employment.

"We agreed that we would look at the draft 5 year plans in place in other villages similar in size to Rosemount, and see what potential improvements we would like to see in this community over the next five years," he said.

Fr Gavin said unemployment was a significant problem in Rosemount and possibility of setting up a small enterprise in the area was discussed in broad terms.

"We've found that a lot of people, who are under 25 and were laid off from the construction industry, have gone back to college. But there are others who are unemployed who are aged 25-50 and who don't have the same opportunity to diversify into other areas. So we talked about the possibility of an enterprise activity - some small industry - for the area. We'll have to determine how feasible that would be."

A small number of senior citizens in Rosemount have lunch each Thursday as part of a Thursday Club, and at the meeting it was agreed that this should be expanded to involve more people including the active elderly living in the area.

It is also hoped that local residents will produce a brochure outlining Rosemount's positive aspects.

Fr Gavin said a follow-up meeting to further discuss these issues will be held in six weeks' time.