Edgware synagogue school expected to be approved tonight
12:00pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in Where I Live
The synagogue in Mowbray Road, Edgware
THE future of a Jewish school opened without permission in an Edgware synagogue should finally be decided tonight.
Councillors sitting on the Hedon area planning committee look set to give the green light to the school in the Mowbray Road synagogue, despite recommendations to refuse it by council officers.
The school was opened in 2006 without planning permission to cater for youngsters previously taught at a synagogue in Stonegrove.
At a meeting last month residents living nearby railed against it, saying it created a noise and parking nuisance for them.
Jeanne Stein, who lives opposite, said the increased congestion from the parents of the 70 primary-aged children made life “intolerable”.
However, school organiser Mr Jaffe told councillors the school had received good Ofsted inspections and were encouraging pupils to walk there from home.
Council officers recommended the application for the semi-detached properties be turned down because of a lack of residential space.
However, Councillor Daryl Yawitch said to refuse it on these grounds, given the development in Stonegrove of new homes, would be wrong given the pressure on school places.
Councillors asked officers to go away and negotiate noise mitigation measures with the school.
Among the measures put forward are strict limits on play times to three 20 minute sessions a day, building an acoustic fence and creating drainage to stop flooding of neighbouring gardens caused by the tarmacking of the rear of the property for a playground.
The meeting is to be held in Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, from 7pm.
RobDCH says...
4:25pm Tue 9 Mar 10
"The school was opened in 2006 without planning permission "
"At a meeting last month residents living nearby railed against it, saying it created a noise and parking nuisance for them."