OBJECTORS to plans to erect a series of poles which would allow observant Jewish people to move around freely on Saturdays have been told they are worrying unnecessarily.

The Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue in Limes Avenue, Chigwell, is waiting for permission to create an ‘eruv’ which would encompass roads in Barkingside and Chigwell.

The plan would involve the erection of a series of six-metre poles linked by fine wire to create a ritual enclosure, giving Jewish people the ability to carry out activities, such as pushing prams and wheelchairs, on the Sabbath.

Earlier this week, Barnet borough council granted permission for an eruv, a move which rabbi Baruch Davis of the Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue welcomed.

He said: “This is the third eruv in Barnet, which is quite something.

“The first took 15 years to get through because there were so many objections, but to my knowledge it has caused no problems at all – people don’t even notice it.”

If approved, the plans would see 'gateways' installed in Connor Close, Mossford Lane, Greystone Gardens and Fullwell Cross in Barkingside and in Manor Road and Long Green, Chigwell.

A separate application will be submitted to Epping Forest District council to erect poles in Hainault Road, Forest Road and Turpins Lane.

There have been a total of 19 objections to the Redbridge plans, the majority of them from one street, Greystone Gardens in Barkingside.

Rahim Khalique is one of those to have objected.

“I find it (the idea of an eruv) visually intrusive, it claims a public area as a private area,” he said.

“It is religiously divisive and may therefore promote anti Semitism.”

And neighbour Colin Abbott complained: “If I or anybody around here decides to sell their house this would most certainly be detrimental to the selling price.”

Rabbis Davis said: “The history of eruvim shows that they don’t attract vandalism and that where there is a large Jewish community who will make use of the area that they can actually add to the value of homes.

“If the council were to suggest we meet these people to calm their fears then we probably would.

“But it is a bit hard to take claims we are damaging their area seriously when there is so much street furniture around already.”

He added that the eruv would benefit around 500 families.

No date has been set for a decision on the application.

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