By Marcus Dysch
The latest eruv for north London has moved a step closer with councillors approving planning permission for an application from the Woodside Park Synagogue trustees. But a decision on Barnet Synagogue’s plans for its own eruv has been deferred.
Barnet Council’s planning committee unanimously backed the Woodside Park application on Tuesday night. Councillors concluded that the religious boundary would “significantly enhance the lives of many hundreds of Jewish residents”.
The eruv is expected to cover four square miles across Whetstone, Oakleigh Park, Totteridge and parts of Finchley and will border the existing North-West London eruv to its south and the planned Barnet eruv to the north.
Woodside Park Synagogue chairman Gary Simon said it could take up to a year to finalise the plans and raise funds. Barnet’s consent is dependent on a number of conditions, including agreement being reached on the colour of the eruv poles.
“We have done our very best to respect the legitimate concerns of environmentalists and local residents who wanted us to take all possible steps to preserve our local habitats,” Mr Simon explained. “We are also taking special measures to ensure that eruv poles blend into their surroundings.”
Barnet Synagogue’s application is expected to go before the council’s east area planning sub-committee.