School banned from hosting large events after residents’ noise fears

A Jewish boys’ school in Hendon has been told it cannot host large events after residents started a petition over noise fears.

Residents near the Talmud Torah Tiferes Shlomo Boys’ School had raised fears that the school’s hall had been decorated “in a manner befitting large events.”

They had sought reassurance that enforcement action could be taken if events with amplified music, external catering or more than 75 guests were held. It was not claimed these were already happening.

In a ruling earlier this month, officials at the town hall confirmed that large-scale events would be unlawful without a change in planning permission.

“The council received an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness,”explained a council spokesperson. 

“This sought to establish whether the use of the school for events or functions of a certain type and size would require planning permission or not. 

“The council determined that planning permission would be required and as such the certificate was refused.”

The school, which is in the former Hendon Reform Synagogue building, is situated in a quiet residential cul-de-sac.

The building was taken over by the school after the creation of the Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue in 2017.