Enfield Borough Council has made a U-turn over controversial plans to license a Chase Side park as an entertainment venue..

During a meeting on Wednesday, councillors granted a licence to allow Chase Green to host events which could last until 8pm on weekdays, 9pm on Saturdays and 6pm on Sundays. 

But council leader Councillor Doug Taylor withdrew the licence just one day after it was granted – citing the strength of public opinion for the U-turn.

The Labour politician said: "Because of the strength of feeling and the persuasive arguments presented by objectors to the Chase Green Licensing Application on Wednesday, Cllr Charalambous and I will be instructing officers not to allow events to take place on Chase Green and to surrender the licence at the earliest opportunity."

More than 150 people turned out to object to the plans, which would have allowed events including plays, films, sporting events and music and dancing to have filled the park for up to 20 days a year.

According to the council at the time, there were no legal reasons why the park could not be turned into an entertainment venue.

But the strength of opposition was so strong the authority decided to block the licence.

Objections included noise pollution and concerns that the war memorial in the park could be damaged.

The council did not apply for an alcohol licence and no event would have been allowed to last for more than two days in a row, with 12 days being  left clear between each event.

In October, the council said it wanted to use 20 parks and open spaces in the borough as occasional entertainment venues to attract people into Enfield and provide “diverse, stimulating and entertaining” events for young and old people alike.