CRAM 'strongly refutes' comments about Rosemount Factory public meeting

A local residents’ group has “strongly refuted” media comments by a representative of Glen Development Initiative (GDI) regarding a public meeting in the City.

The meeting in Brooke Park Leisure Centre on Tuesday evening was organised by Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit). 

It was held  to discuss the 100 student accommodation units proposed for Rosemount Factory. 

GDI is one of the organisations behind the student accommodation proposal as part of the redevelopment of Rosemount Factory. 

In a statement to The Derry News, a spokesperson for the Concerned Residents Around Magee (CRAM) campaign said, contrary to the GDI spokesperson’s assertions “CRAM was not ‘‘engaged’ with in the development of plans for Rosemount Factory. 

“We had one meeting with them only after they had already presented to Council and the decision was made to delay the vote,” added the CRAM spokesperson.

Star-studded line-up unveiled for landmark 25th City of Derry Jazz Festival

Global stars and homegrown heroes set to share the stage this May Bank Holiday

Derry schoolboy takes top prize in Foyle Poetry Contest

St Oliver Plunkett Primary School celebrates as P6 student Sonny Whitehouse is recognised for excellence in the Key Stage 2 "Voices" category

“It was suggested to them that day by a councillor that perhaps it might be a good idea to engage with us given that we have been campaigning for 18 months on the issue of student housing. 

“That meeting took place last Friday (March 20, 2026). At that meeting we made it very clear we did not support the inclusion of 100 bed student accommodation and that the consultation process had been very poor.

“The meeting last night was a public one. While organised by Shaun Harkin it was attended by four other councillors, all of whom had become aware of the degree of residents’ outrage at the lack of engagement on the plans for the Rosemount Factory. 

Many people only heard that plans had been drawn up after the Council’s decision to delay the vote two weeks ago. Despite GDI claims about knocking on doors and leafleting, many people simply didn’t know that a proposal had been made and that plans were so advanced,” said the CRAM spokesperson.

“By GDI’s own figures, 80 people ticked a box in a survey for student accommodation. They then took that as permission to develop a plan that including housing 100 students,” added the CRAM spokesperson.

Before presenting to Council, they should have made the plans known, held public meetings and sought community engagement. 

“To suggest that 80 people voting for student accommodation as ‘residents support’ is entirely inaccurate.

“At their presentation to council, they declared that if 100 students were not included in the plan, it was not economically viable…. in other words, the students are a deal breaker.

“The idea that it is still open for ‘consultation’ as the GDI spokesperson suggested seems disingenuous at best. The entire model of development is prefaced on the ‘profit’ from student housing,” said the CRAM spokesperson.

“On Tuesday night, Rosemount residents got an opportunity to voice their concerns,” they said.

“No one was specifically invited. GDI and all the other Outerwest groups could have attended had they wished to put their position forward. They chose not to. 

“To attack Councillor Harkin as ‘scaremongering’ is entirely unjust. Councillor Harkin like the other councillors present recognised the depth of feeling among residents about the plans to bring more students into our area. They were there to hear residents’ views and to listen . It is a pity GDI have not attempted to do the same before developing their plan.”

The Derry News approached GDI for comment. At the time of publication none had been received.