Hackney Council's Planning Sub-Committee has approved a proposal for a synagogue at 25 Amhurst Park, despite concerns raised about the loss of housing and potential noise impacts.
The committee granted conditional planning permission for the development, which will see the ground and part-first floors of the building used as a synagogue for the Shtibel Gur congregation. This Orthodox Jewish congregation comprises over 60 families and has been operating out of unstable, temporary locations for six years.
During the discussion, councillors Benzion Papier and Reiner Tegtmeyer questioned the justification for replacing residential flats with a place of worship. The planning officer clarified that Policy LP24 permits the loss of housing for community use when a need is demonstrated. In this instance, the need was for the Shtibel Gur congregation, who currently congregate at the Yesodey Hatorah Boys School. However, this arrangement is tenuous and unsustainable, as the school desires their exit, the premises are unavailable throughout the week for daily religious study or prayers, and the layout lacks sufficient space and necessary facilities like a dedicated women's gallery.
An Alternative Sites Assessment
by Savills concluded that there are no current suitable, alternative non-residential sites available within the congregation's strict 1km walking catchment due to geographical constraints, community safety dynamics, and operational incompatibilities. The assessment adequately demonstrates that there are no current suitable, alternative non-residential sites available to meet the specific community need.
Concerns about potential noise impacts on neighbouring properties were also raised. Regarding noise assessments, an Alternative Sites Assessment
was submitted, and the planning officer noted that noise assessments and insulation measures were part of the proposal.
For the Sheraton House application, noise insulation conditions for walls and glazing were recommended
and a Venue Management Plan and conditions related to noise insulation were deemed sufficient to mitigate potential impacts.
For the Wayman Court Car Park development, the Noise Impact Assessment
report stated that in general, the site falls into the 'low' range of risk values in current Professional Guidance.
The report also indicated that internal sound levels within habitable rooms would comply with recognised Standards and Guidance.
The Council's Environmental Health Officer reviewed the submitted Noise and Vibration Report, and is satisfied with its findings. No objections have been raised subject to a variety of conditions including a Noise, Vibration monitoring system, and a number of post installation tests on noise and sound installation.
The synagogue is expected to accommodate up to 46 women and girls in the women's gallery on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and during six main religious holidays. The proposal also includes a women's entrance
which has been relocated further up West Bank, approximately 10 meters from the common boundary with neighboring properties, to mitigate noise and disturbance. The planning officer noted that the capacity of the gallery would be lesser
due to the reduction in the proposed extensions compared to a previous scheme.
The synagogue's operational hours are primarily for Friday evenings, Saturdays, and the six main religious holidays.
The planning officer noted that a few services each year would involve amplified music in the evenings during festivals. On the understanding that this would be no more than 3 to 4 occasions throughout the year, the Planning Inspector concluded... that this would not be unacceptably disturbing and could be mitigated by acoustic insulation.
The proposed development at 25 Amhurst Park involves the use of the ground and part-first floors as a synagogue (Use Class F1(f)), along with the erection of extensions and the installation of PV panels.
The existing building is currently in use as 11 self-contained residential units. The proposed development would result in the change of use of 5 of these residential units to accommodate the synagogue, implying that the remaining 6 units will continue to be residential.
Concerns about traffic and parking were addressed by confirming the development would be car-free, with only one disabled bay provided. It was also noted that religious practices limit driving on the Sabbath. The Planning Inspector, in a previous appeal, concluded that the proposal would generate very few vehicular trips and therefore create very limited additional pressure on on-street parking. Consequently there would be no unacceptable risk to highway safety.
The meeting also noted that Haredi Orthodox Jewish community practices strictly forbid driving on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. Consequently, the synagogue must be located within a safe, immediate walking distance - 1km walking catchment, or roughly a 15 minute walk.
The Transport Statement outlined that the majority of the community live within 1km of the site and almost all live within 1500m.
For the synagogue at 25 Amhurst Park, a Management Plan is to be secured by condition prior to occupation to ensure the use of the women's entrance is appropriately managed to not give rise to undue noise or disturbance to the detriment of occupiers of neighbouring properties.
Additionally, a condition is, therefore, recommended requiring insulation details to be provided to safeguard neighbouring amenity.
The meeting minutes also state that statutory noise nuisances are dealt with under environmental protection legislation and therefore, beyond the assessment of this application, if a statutory noise nuisance were to arise from the development, the local authority would still have recourse to take action via the serving of an abatement notice.
Objections were raised by Mark Nunn, Jemeen Sreedharan, and Thiri Sitharanjan, while Shulem Posen and Barney Walker spoke in support of the application. The full details of the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack Wednesday 07-Oct-2026 18.30 Planning Sub-Committee.