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Plans for contested development near Bevis Marks withdrawn

But rabbi of historic synagogue warns that supporters must remain vigilant

June 3, 2022 16:04
Bevis Marks
1 min read

The rabbi of Britain’s oldest synagogue, Bevis Marks, has thanked supporters after the withdrawal of plans for a 21-storey development nearby which have been contested by the congregation.

Rabbi Shalom Morris told members of the S & P Sephardi Community on Friday, “This ill-conceived tower, just metres from the eastern windows of Bevis Marks Synagogue, would have blocked light to our historic synagogue throughout the entirety of the morning hours.”

An application had been put in to develop offices and retail space at 33 Creechurch Lane.

Seven months ago City of London’s planning committee rejected a proposal for an even taller, commercial development in Bury Stree close to the Grade 1-listed synagogue. That would have “blocked out nearly all of the sunlight into the synagogue and courtyard in the early afternoon,” Rabbi Morris said.