Building frenzy in Hod Hasharon

Hod Hasharon has gone on an unprecedented building frenzy in which it plans to build 3,000 new homes and increase its population by 10,000 people - or 20 percent - over the next five years, reports the Hebrew weekly Yediot Hasharon. But the "grandiose" plan is causing a great deal of controversy, with many residents fearing environmental damage, traffic nightmares and an end to the city's pastoral atmosphere.

According to the report, the plan is the most "revolutionary" to hit Hod Hasharon since it was declared a city 17 years ago. City planners have set two target dates: a five-year goal of increasing the population by 20%, and a 20-year goal during which time they aim to double the current population. Building work on hundreds of apartments has already begun in the western part of the city, and a new shopping mall and high-tech complex are currently going up in the Neveh Ne'eman area.