The latest news from the Rosemellin team

£6 million flagship centre plan unveiled
West Briton, Feb 2007

With new housing development expecting to increase the population of Camborne over the next few years, a project has been unveiled to provide a range of community facilities for all ages.

Based on the site of Rosemellin Primary School, it will link that building to the neighbouring Gooseberry Bush Day Nursery.

The proposal will cost up to £6 million and is to be for use by Spring 2009

The ethos is to provide cradle-to-the-grave facilities in an area where more than 500 homes are set to be built in Boilerworks Road.

The Rosemellin Community Interest Company has been set up to oversee the project and its directors are former Rosemellin head teacher Ian Bruce, who has been seconded by the governors to be development director, Gordon Fenn, the present head, Nick Lake, chairman of governors, and Gill Smith, manager of Gooseberry bush.

Mr Bruce explained "In linking the two buildings we can provide a centre for the whole community, to include a new sports hall, library, cafe and facilities for the education and welfare services."

"The sports hall, which will be used by the children during the day, can be converted into a 450 seater theatre for local groups and amateur dramatics."

"This idea has been in my head for about ten years and I have been talking it over with Gill since we collaborated to bring Gooseberry bush here about five years ago."

Local MP Julia Goldsworthy has given the project her backing. "The Rosemellin and Roskear areas will be a key area of growth in the coming years and it is crucial that the wide and varied needs of these communities are met" she said.

Conceptual plans have been prepared but formal planning has not yet been submitted.

Mr Bruce said "We have involved as many members of the community as possible and every department at County Hall."

"The aim is to complement and not compete with other service providers in the area."

The next stage is to seek funding of £500,000 to underpin the project over the next four years. Development costs are expected to be between £3.5 million and £5.5 million.

The plans are for one main entrance to serve the school, nursery, sports and community facilities.

The existing rugby pitch used by Veor RFC will become an important feature of the new school and community facilities. The partnership with Veor will help develop sporting opportunies.

Mr Bruce added "We want this to be a flagship development for Camborne, Kerrier and the county and one that will be used by the whole community.

The name for the new centre will be chosen through a schools competition."