The full list of 50 sites affected by plans to erect an eruv around Hale and Hale Barns has been revealed.
The sites act as locations along the proposed 12-mile route where a total of 95 galvanised steel poles – the majority of which are six metres in height – will be erected, with a fine wire thread running between them.
The route encompasses roads in Altrincham, Timperley, Hale and Hale Barns, as well as sites on Green Belt land, the South Hale Conservation Area and the Hale Station Conservation Area.
The full extent of the eruv plans have now been revealed after a planning application was formally submitted to Trafford Council by the Hale Eruv Project Charitable Trust.
The application states that although the eruv itself does not need planning permission as it is “a symbolic boundary which only has a spiritual significance”, the council needs to determine “the possible impact of the structures – steel poles and fencing – which cover gaps that exist within the intended boundary”.
The eruv, which would be only the 11th of its kind in the UK, is described as a “religiously symbolic area defined by a continuous geographic route designated in accordance with ancient rabbinic principles and for the Jewish community”.
The Hale Eruv Project Charitable Trust says it will “allow greater movement and freedom to the local Jewish community on the Sabbath… This will be particularly significant for those with young children or the elderly, infirm or disabled persons who rely upon aids to assist their movement to go about their daily business on the Sabbath”.
It claims there will be “no ecological impact arising from the proposals” and that “the benefit of the proposals for the local Jewish community constitutes very special circumstance which outweighs any potential harm the scheme may be considered to have”.
However, a leaflet distributed within the proposed boundary by South Trafford Against The Eruv, a campaign group set up to oppose the plans, claims the eruv is being required for just “12 to 15 orthodox Jewish families”.
It adds that the “rest of the community will be faced with poles – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – that will be an eyesore… unlike lamp-posts and other street furniture, they will serve no purpose to the whole community”.
It has set up a petition for people to register their opposition to the plans. The full planning application can be accessed by searching for 88955 here, where formal objections can be made to the council.
The full list of proposed eruv sites:
