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London - A strictly Orthodox synagogue has won a temporary reprieve from having part of its complex demolished.

The Satmar Synagogue in Craven Walk, Stamford Hill, North London, won an appeal on a technicality against an enforcement notice issued by Hackney Council.

The council issued the notice last September in an attempt to reverse the construction of two extensions and installation of three air-conditioning units at the building, which had been started before planning permission was granted.

But the notice was quashed by the planning inspectorate due to an administrative error in which the council incorrectly dated a report connected to its implementation.

A council spokeswoman said the error was "regrettable" but there had been a "longstanding" breach of planning restrictions at the "unauthorised development".

She said the authority had not acted maliciously in attempting to enforce the notice, which will be re-served following the amendment of the report. Officials of the synagogue declined to comment.