Resident welcomes restrictions on synagogue school (From This Is Local London)

Mowbray Road resident welcomes restrictions on Edgware synagogue school

4:06pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in Where I Live By Alex Hayes

A RESIDENT living near a school set up without planning permission in a synagogue in 2006 have welcomed restrictions to the way it is allowed to operate.

Last night councillors agreed to allow the school in Mowbray Road, Edgware, to continue to operate but put a raft of strict conditions on it to prevent further nuisance to residents.

At a planning meeting last month Jeanne Stein, who lives next to the school built in two semi-detached houses, told the committee the school had made her life “intolerable”.

She said parents dropping off children, the noise from youngsters at playtime and flooding in her neighbour's garden caused by tarmacking over the back gardens of the property.

Among the conditions are noise screening through acoustic fences and bushes, as well as flood mitigation and strict restrictions on when the playground can be used.

Ms Stein told the Times Series: “I think it's the best we could have asked for as it was obvious they weren't going to close the school down altogether.

“It shows the councillors had taken on board what we were unhappy with. If they hadn't given permission there could have been a lot of appeals and it would have cost the council a lot of money.

“I will not say I'm happy, the best thing would be if there were no school at all, but it shows them they cannot just ride roughshod over planning laws.”

Tory Councillor Brian Gordon attended the meeting to show support for the school, which received a good report from Ofsted last year.

He said: “I supported the application because I think all communities need to have good schools and this is a good school.

“I'm delighted the planning committee granted consent and I wish the school well in its future endeavours.”

To read more from last night's meeting click the link below.