The Appeals Subcommittee of the National Planning and Building Council, headed by attorney Moran Brown, has unanimously rejected an appeal against plans for Neighborhood ו'1 in eastern Beit Shemesh. The appeal was filed by three members of the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee.

The decision removes the last planning obstacle standing in the way of approving the plan.

What is planned for the new neighborhood?

The plan is being advanced by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Beit Shemesh Municipality. It covers about 635 dunams in the eastern part of the city, north of Moshav Zanoach and west of Route 10.

The planned neighborhood will include about 2,600 housing units, along with commercial and employment areas, public buildings and open spaces.

The goal is to provide more housing in Beit Shemesh and respond to the growing demand for homes in the city, while also providing services and facilities for future residents.

Why was an appeal filed?

The three district committee members who filed the appeal raised several concerns. They argued that the plan was being advanced without an overall planning vision for the area, would harm open spaces and a pine grove, and could lead to future development east of Route 10.

The appeals committee rejected these claims. It determined that the new neighborhood would form a continuous extension of the existing built-up area, reaching Route 10.

The committee also ruled that the neighborhood can stand on its own and does not depend on future development east of the road.

In addition, the committee found that the plan responds to the high demand for housing in Beit Shemesh and does not conflict with urban renewal projects in the city center.

Mayor Shmuel Greenberg: "We are building the future for the next generation"

Mayor Shmuel Greenberg welcomed the decision.

"I welcome the removal of the objections, which will add more green neighborhoods, open spaces and large employment areas to Beit Shemesh. Beit Shemesh is growing into one of the most successful and rapidly developing cities in Israel. We are already building the future for the next generation here. More and more people are discovering the quality of life offered by the city's spacious neighborhoods," he said.

Deputy Mayor: The plan will help meet the growing demand for housing

Acting Mayor and Local Planning and Building Committee Chairman Shimon Goldberg also welcomed the decision.

"The unanimous rejection of the appeal is another important milestone in Beit Shemesh's planning and development. Neighborhood ו'1 will add about 2,600 housing units and help meet the growing demand for homes in the city. It will also include public institutions, employment and commercial areas, and advanced transportation infrastructure.

"The decision strengthens our planning approach, which combines an increased supply of housing with responsible urban development. I thank Mayor Shmuel Greenberg for his support and partnership in advancing the plan, as well as all the planning professionals who worked to bring it this far."

The rejection of the appeal marks another step forward for Neighborhood ו'1. However, it does not mean that construction will begin immediately. The plan is moving closer to approval, and the required planning and permitting stages must still be completed before construction can begin.

Beit Shemesh Municipality Spokesperson's Office