Radlett United Synagogue has finally got the builders in. Ten years after proposals for a rebuilding and refurbishment were first conceived, work has started on the first phase of “Project Renewal”.

The £1.8 million scheme, which should take around 15 months to complete, will provide additional facilities for the steadily-expanding community.

Phase one will involve alterations to the two houses adjacent to the shul building to allow the construction of a new communal hall, kitchen, toilets, offices, youth room and an entrance lobby for the rebuilt synagogue complex. The community will move into this space next summer, while the existing synagogue is renovated and additional classrooms, a bet hamidrash and cloakrooms are constructed.

The 650-household congregation has already raised more than £750,000 to get the project under way. The United Synagogue has provided a 50 per cent loan towards the initial cost.

Project chair Paul Krisman said the improvements would “enable many of the multiple activities that take place under our roof to run concurrently. It will accommodate more people for services and provide the up-to-date and appropriate facilities the community has been seeking for the past decade.

“Every member will have the opportunity to learn, meet, pray and play in the flexible, vibrant and renewed building. We look forward to opening the doors to the community at the start of 2015.”