Construction of a Mill Hill eruv will begin "within six months" after the project was given the green light by Barnet Council.

On Tuesday, Barnet's planning committee voted in favour of the application for 24 poles which would link up with the existing Edgware and Golders Green eruvs. Councillors requested a wildlife survey at Sheepwash Pond, part of the eruv area, and that the colour of the poles be green, rather than black.

The council has received 400 letters in support of the project and 24 objections.

Mill Hill Synagogue's Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet paid tribute to "a fantastic achievement by an incredibly dedicated team. It is another milestone in an ever-growing dynamic community."

Local eruv committee chair Gill Gallick said "the planning committee took a keen interest in the evidence presented from a wide range of stakeholders. Their decision is absolutely fantastic and will benefit so many within our community and beyond.

"For nearly two years, a group of dedicated members of the committee have, with the support of Rabbi Schochet and in conjunction with eruv experts at the United Synagogue, been walking the streets of Mill Hill in search of an eruv route." They had tried to minimise "the aesthetic impact for Mill Hill residents and the green belt".

Abraham Wahnon, consultant to the eruv committee and joint proposer of the planning application, hailed "a great result. It shows what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance and an up-front discussion of the facts.

"The council took an objective view, listened to the evidence we presented and came to a good decision based on that evidence."