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| Rabbi criticised over plan to
build on nature reserve |
Heated meeting hears synagogue plan
described as ‘new Holloway Jail’
A RABBI who wants to build a new synagogue on the site of a nature
reserve was given a grilling by residents over the controversial
plans on Tuesday.
They dubbed the plans as looking like “Holloway women’s
prison”. The meeting, held at Hampstead Town Hall in Haverstock
Hill was organised by the Eton Avenue synagogue to give people living
near the Adelaide Road Nature Reserve a chance to air their views.
Rabbi Schlomo Levin (pictured) said the synagogue was desperate
for extra space but was told by irate Adelaide Road resident Jerry
O’Connell to “settle for less”.
He says membership, which can exceed 2,000 on busy days, means the
synagogue is “packed to the rafters”, and forces many
of the congregation to follow sermons relayed to the nearby Brittania
Hotel. He said they have been looking for suitable new accommodation
for ten years, and that staying at their present site is not an
option. He added: “We had to find somewhere nearby because
our members must be able to walk to synagogue on the sabbath, as
driving is not permitted.”
But some residents say members do drive, and claimed their driveways
are blocked by visiting cars on Saturdays.
They said Adelaide Road would face similar problems. The building
designed by award-winning architects Allies and Morrison would be
three storeys high with a dug-out basement. Half of the building
would be extended on legs over the railway line.
Architect Graham Morrison drew derisory laughs when he described
the mesh that would surround the block, and be covered in ivy and
creepers, as “replacing in memory the landscape that once was.”
Residents also turned their anger on the Council planning officers
present, including the Conservation Area officer for the borough,
Moira Cash. She told the crowd the Council were objective and had
not sided with the plans. Miss Cash said: “It’s not a
fair question to ask if I have a financial interest in backing the
plans. I’m just interested in trying to improve green spaces
in the borough.”
Mana Brearley, of Provost Road, near to the current synagogue, said:
“Parking is horrendous on synagogue days. A lot of people do
drive.”
She asked why the Nature Reserve couldn’t remain “green,
open and wild”.
Richard Loftus, a property developer and member of the synagogue
argued: “There’s nothing to stop Network Rail knocking
all the trees down. A planning committee meeting to discuss the
project will be held at Judd Street Town Hall on October 20. |
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