A CONTROVERSIAL religious boundary will be created in Mill Hill after being given the go-ahead by Barnet Councillors at a packed meeting last night.

The eruv, a boundary designed to allow Orthodox Jews to carry and push things on the Sabbath was approved, despite reservations from some residents about the plans.

Consisting of poles between one and six metres high, many with wore strung between them, it will connect up the existing eruvs in Edgware and Hendon.

The wires will be strung across the A41 Barnet Way, and take in the area up to Mill Hill Golf Club around Apex Corner, encircle Mill Hill Village running down Marsh Lane and The Ridgeway, Bittacy Hill and Holders Hill Road and up next to the M1.

Rabbi Schochet, the Rabbi of Mill Hill Synagogue said:   "This is a fantastic achievement by an incredibly dedicated team. It is another milestone in an ever growing dynamic community. "

However, the council did receive 11 objections from people living in the area, including the Mill Hill Preservation Society, who feared the poles and wires would be “unsightly” and damage the street scene around the village.

Other neighbours feared the plans would create a “ghetto” forcing Jews to stay in the area on the Sabbath and accusations the eruv would be an unnecessary “concession” to Jewish people in a Christian country.

Gill Gallick, Chair of the Mill Hill Eruv committee and vice chair of Mill Hill Synagogue said: “We have taken a big step forward for the Jewish community of Mill Hill.  “The planning officers at Barnet Council considered the plans carefully and the planning committee took a keen interest in the evidence presented from a wide range of stakeholders.  “Their decision is absolutely fantastic and will benefit so many within our community, and beyond.”

She added 400 letters supporting the plans were sent to the council ahead of the meeting and said thepermssion signalled the end of two years work by the committee to find the best route.

She added: “Eruv experts at the United Synagogue, been walking the streets of Mill Hill in search of an Eruv route would link the Edgware and Hendon eruvs, whilst minimising the aesthetic impact for Mill Hill residents and the greenbelt.  “Today we have achieved something of significance which will impact positively on the whole of the north west London Jewish community.”