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Construction of new residential buildings in a new neighborhood of Beer Yaakov, on March 26, 2020.
(Flash90)
Green organizations on Monday slammed a decision of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation to extend the mandate of a controversial fast-track planning committee for another four years, subject to Knesset approval, saying it tramples environmental concerns.
Critics such as the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel have long argued that in the rush to build, the so-called Committee for Preferred Housing Sites known by its Hebrew initials as Vatmal, overlooks environmental considerations and approves too much construction on virgin or rezoned agricultural land. With a little more effort and research, it argues, space for more intensive building within city boundaries can be found.
Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel s environment reporter.
Young people enjoy a hot summer s day at the Ein Lavan Spring in the Jerusalem hills, August 30, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
An appeals committee on Thursday approved plans to build some 5,000 residential units at Reches Lavan, a popular, pastoral site of agricultural terraces and springs just west of Jerusalem.
Reches Lavan (White Ridge) named for its light, chalky rock is located near the Jerusalem Zoo and the southwest neighborhoods of Kiryat Hayovel, Givat Masua and Ein Kerem, and Moshav Ora just outside the city.
Home to Mediterranean vegetation and large mammals such as mountain gazelles and hyenas, the whole area, with its natural springs and spring-fed pools, serves as a green backyard for Jerusalemites and a popular weekend meeting place for young people.