Shul sells up to fund rebuild

BRIGHTON AND Hove Reform members have supported plans for the sale and redevelopment of the synagogue site.

Around 50 congregants attended an EGM on Sunday at which proposals for the community’s future were outlined.

The idea is for the majority of the site to be sold to a local developer, Perth Securities, which will pursue planning permission and undertake construction.

The redevelopment will incorporate a smaller new synagogue on around a third of the site and a block of flats.

Members of the shul’s redevelopment committee told the EGM that the current building was unsuitable for the congregation’s needs, with some 400 excess seats and considerable unused space. It was also expensive to maintain and required costly refurbishment.

According to shul treasurer Peter Vos, “the agreement will include the provision of a new shul, fitted out to our requirements, on the northern part of the site.

The agreement includes the provision of a shul, fitted to requirements

“The shul will receive the equivalent of £3 million for that part of the plot on which flats will be built, following receipt of satisfactory planning permission.

“The developers will use that money to build and then fund the fit-out of a new shul to an agreed specification on the freehold land retained by the synagogue.”

If all goes to plan, the move into the new building will be in 2029.

The vote in favour of the plans was not unanimous. Members Suzanne Anderson and Alison Dollow told the JC that “information came to light during the discussion which may lead to potential funding offers, in particular, with regard to a proper and accurate valuation of the stainedglass windows.

“The windows are believed to be of great significance in the art history world.

“This could influence the redevelopment journey. We believe that it is vitally important we look into this further.”

The shul has around 370 adult members, just over half of whom are aged 70 or above.