A new Charedi community in the Essex town of Harlow is being planned by a group of Stamford Hill activists.

The search for new locations has been prompted by the high cost of housing in inner London.

Project initiator Rabbi Asher Gratt said that given Harlow's proximity to Stamford Hill (23 miles), "I see this as a win-win situation for both communities.

"We are a very enterprising society, providing thousands of jobs for local residents from outside our community," he added. "By relocating some of our homes, institutions and businesses to Harlow, we would create many employment and business opportunities for the people of Harlow, while solving our acute housing needs."

Although Harlow was mentioned in the Domesday Book more than 900 years ago, the new town was built after the Second World War.

At a recent meeting to publicise the scheme, the audience was told there would be no need to establish schools in the town. Instead,a regular shuttle service between Harlow and Stamford Hill is planned to run.

Various other Essex locations are also being considered by Charedi groups as they look for affordable housing for large families.

A vacant school site has been purchased in Canvey Island on the Thames Estuary to serve as the educational hub of a new strictly Orthodox community and a number of Stamford Hill families have bought homes there.

Notices have also advertised a community in Westcliff, with plans to usethe Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation premises as a school on weekdays.

Another Stamford Hill group is also understood to be exploring possibilities in East Tilbury.

Meanwhile, a group from Golders Green is pursuing plans to start an Orthodox community in a housing development in Hemel Hempstead.