Plans to allow more public events to be staged in a riverside park have been scaled back after concerns were raised by nearby residents' groups.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council asked its own licensing sub-committee to agree to a new licence for Furnivall Gardens, allowing live music, plays, dancing and other events to go ahead on the Hammersmith site.
The council applied for an extension to an existing licence which would place no limit on the amount of activity, but the sub-committee agreed in a meeting on Tuesday to impose a restriction of four events per year following pressure from people living nearby.
A written objection by the Blades Residents' Association in Lower Mall, recalling controversy when the licence was first granted, said: "Last time this appeared, it was roundly condemned by all residents' associations in the area, as well as large numbers of individuals. I believe that, outside the council, it received zero support. Why are you so intent on destroying our gardens and our peace?"
Asking for the number of events to be restricted, Andrew Hankey, chairman of Hammersmith Mall Residents' Association, said: "There have been problems with noise to surrounding homes in this predominantly residential area from other licensed premises which have been granted with adverse impact on the neighbourhood. No further opportunity for this should be created without the specific support of the community."
Last year the park was only used for public events on two occasions, for the Oxford and Cambridge boat race in March, and for the Greenfest event in June.
But Labour leader and ward councillor Stephen Cowan said the council 'already found it difficult' to manage the riverside pubs during the summer, and objected to the licence.
He said: "I have witnessed many occasions when crowds of drunken revellers have stretched along the river front until late at night. I am not confident that the council will be able to deal with the increased problems that would adversely affect my constituents in this area if this licence is renewed."
Harry Phibbs, the council's community engagement leader, used an online blog to accuse Cllr Cowan of getting into a 'muddle' over the licence renewal, insisting the authority was only seeking to stage more 'appropriate' events in parks.
He said: "Cllr Cowan objects to at any stage allowing 'supply of alcohol'. In practice this has meant during the boat race having a bar as well as big screens. The arrangement has brought considerable enjoyment, not least to many local residents and is only once a year."
