Tube station entrance could be redesigned to accommodate religious Kohanim
Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations tells council planning committee Kohanim can't use South Kensington tube entrance because it is connected to museum which holds human remains in its collection.
An entrance to South Kensington tube station could get a £2 million makeover so it can be used by Kohanim within the community, whose are prevented from using it because it is connected to the Science Museum, which holds human remains in its collection.
Kensington and Chelsea’s planning committee will meet next month to consider a plan that will allow around 1,500 Kohanim living in and around the capital to use the station and tube.
Evidence sent to the committee by the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations notes that Kohanim — descendants of the sons of Aaron who served as priests in the temple in Jerusalem — have “special rules and guidelines on how to behave”.
It adds:”One of them is not to come in any shape or form in contact with a deceased (exceptions are made for immediate family), even not being under one roof.”
The committee is urged to adopt a plan “by providing an outside archway it breaks up the one-roof phenomenon and it will allow those deprived from using the Underground to be able to use it.”
The plan was approved initially. but changes to the entrance, between the museum and Imperial College London, were objected to by the college and the wider Exhibition Road Cultural Group who represent museums such as the V&A, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum itself.
The group said the entrance was “used by millions of people visiting the museums, Royal Albert Hall, educational institutions, and by people living and working in the area” and said more information was needed about the plan.
They added:” “The drawings on the application do not give details to understand the impact of the proposed installation on the visibility of the station entrance, the flow of pedestrians and the overall design of this heavily used area.
“It is not clear from the drawings whether the proposal is to include a religious message on the installation. Exhibition Road is a high-profile and complex public space, with multiple users and a holistic approach is necessary to consider permanent changes there.”
The proposal was due to be heard this week, but has been moved to next month’s meeting.
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