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| Synagogue bid hits cash hitch |
But supporters say £600,000
is earmarked for classrooms and nature reserve
A RABBI has been told he can build a hotly-contested synagogue
on protected land – if he returns to the council with an offer
of more cash.
South Hampstead Jewish community celebrated on Thursday when plans
for the synagogue, which will double up as a community centre, were
approved in the face of noisy opposition.
At a packed planning committee meeting councillors backed the proposals
by seven votes to four – but on condition that Rabbi Shlomo
Levin and his supporters come up with a satisfactory cash package,
including a commitment to build classrooms for school pupils visiting
a nature reserve to be created at the Adelaide Road site.
If councillors are satisfied when the matter is brought before them
again on December 15 the synagogue will be given final approval.
Labour councillor Anna Stewart said the original offer to pay the
Town Hall £55,000 towards the classroom and nature reserve
and for planting and landscape work, as well as a further £115,000
to make changes to roads and pavements, did not go far enough.
She told the meeting: “It needs to come with more money.”
Cllr Stewart added: “I would want to be very clear that this
site is open and accessible to the public.”
A wary Labour councillor Jake Sumner asked if the concessionary
package was just a “sop to try to ameliorate the development”.
Leading a residents’ deputation to the committee, Jill Turner,
who lives in King Henry’s Road across the railway line from
the proposed synagogue site, described the planned building as a
“monstrous and intimidating” block.
She said it was out of proportion with existing buildings and would
treble noise levels. Ms Turner added: “The need for a prison-like
development has not been shown”.
She doubted whether additional plans for a café and computer
room would be approved for a nature reserve. Ms Turner said: “Sainsbury’s
wouldn’t get them, why should a synagogue? These plans are
arrogant, intimidating and unjustified.”
But Rabbi Levin said his team had consulted a planning officer from
the outset, with the intention of making the designs as palatable
as possible to the community.
He said: “Change is often difficult and we accept that but
we sincerely hope the majority of our objectors will in the fullness
of time appreciate that the development offers them a substantial
local benefit.”
Speaking after the meeting, Richard Lofthus, a member of the synagogue
team, said councillors had not fully understood the extent of the
synagogue’s financial contribution.
He said £300,000 had been earmarked to buy land from Network
Rail to give to the council to create the nature reserve while another
£300,000 was being spent on maintenance, security and building
classrooms.
He added: “It was a finely balanced decision but we are obviously
delighted that in principle it’s been accepted.” |
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