Birmingham Central Synagogue has received city council consent for the sale of the synagogue building to a care home developer — and for the conversion of its Malcolm Locker Hall into a modern shul for the 200 members.

The proceeds from the sale of half the Pershore Road site to Gracewell Properties will fund the £500,000 redevelopment project.

“This is a pivotal moment in the future of our congregation,” said Central president, Geoffrey Clements. “It has taken us over five years to reach this point and, despite all the challenges we have faced, we now have contracts in place to allow our dreams to be realised.”

Tendering is under way for the six-month construction project, due for completion in time for the 2013 High Holy-Days. Central is seeking a new home for the 44 etched glass windows depicting the festivals and other significant occasions. “The new building will only have space for a handful of these and we are hoping to find a suitable home for this collection either in the UK, Israel or the US,” Mr Clements said.