Elstree and Borehamwood Eruv planning application

Consultation has started following an application for the borough's first Eruv boundary.

The application was submitted to the council on 9 February by EBOR Eruv Charitable Trust.

An Eruv is a continuous boundary designated in accordance with Jewish Law. Whereas Jewish Law generally prohibits Orthodox Jews from carrying or transporting on the Sabbath day, carrying is permitted within the defined symbolic boundary of an Eruv. Continuous local features, such as fences or walls alongside roads, railways or terraced buildings can form the Eruv boundary. However, where this continuity is breached, for example by a road, the gap has to be bridged by the erection of a 'gateway' made up of posts or poles linked on top by a wire. An Eruv is now proposed for Borehamwood.

Planning permission is not needed for the Eruv itself, permission is only required for the posts and wires. A planning application has been made for the 34 'gateways' that are involved in the proposed Borehamwood Eruv, distributed around the edges of the built up area of the town. The council is currently writing to residents who live within the immediate area of each proposed gateway. Site notices inviting comments wil also be posted up and an advert placed in the local press.

Richard Grove, Head of Planning and Building Control, said: "There is a standard process to go through with all planning applications. We are currently starting the consultation phase of the application and are seeking the views of residents within the immediate areas of gaps within the proposed Eruv. It is important to stress however that the planning application is not for the Eruv as such, it is only for the poles and wires relating to each gateway. The council wil be considering issues such as the visual appearance of the structures and the possible impact on traffic and trees.

"Residents will have 21 days to feedback their views to the council either in support or objection to the planning application. Further information about the application can be found on our website."

To view the planning application, please visit the council's website at the following link:
/www2.hertsmere.gov.uk/ACOLNET/DCOnline//acolnetcgi.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.pgesearch

Type the application's reference number - TP/07/0204 - into the search engine.

Examples of existing Eruv's can be found on the following websites: www.nwlondoneruv.org or /www.edgwareeruv.org/