Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue moved a step closer to the first Essex area eruv after Redbridge Council unanimously approved its plans last week. But given that the religious boundary will cover more than Redbridge, project leaders now await the go-ahead from Epping Forest District Council.

The synagogue’s Rabbi Baruch Davis said Redbridge had been “very respectful and interested” in the eruv. “We have a lot of young families at our shul and the eruv would mean that both parents and their little children could come to shul on Shabbat.” An eruv allows the pushing of prams and the carrying of items on Shabbat and the festivals.

The 700-member synagogue has been discussing eruv plans since 2010 — “it is a big thing these days”.