A £1.7 million purpose-built synagogue in Cambridge has been given the green light by the local city council.

The plan is for the 250-member Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue - which has met in temporary premises for 30 years - to move into the Auckland Road building in spring 2013. The cost includes the purchase of the site from the council for £470,000 last year and the community needs to raise a further £900,000 towards the project.

Support for the venture has been pledged by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, a former Cambridge student, and actress Rachel Weisz, whose relatives are Beth Shalom members.

A community room, library and disabled parking and bike racks will be among other features of the building.

Building committee chair Frank Harris hoped construction work would start later this year.