A flood of objections has been sparked by an application to set up a pop-up venue in the middle of Finsbury Park.

Open Arms want permission to use the park for performances and to sell alcohol from mid-May to September.

Organisers say it will hold dance performances, films, plays and live music. But people living nearby fear they will be left with noise nuisance and have raised concerns about public safety.

Neighbours had a long-running battle against the Wireless Festival staged in the park in previous summers.

Haringey Council, which manages the park on the borders of three boroughs, said it was committed to addressing any concerns around public safety or noise if the licence is granted.

Finsbury Park ward councillor Gary Heather said: “To my knowledge the park is not locked at night, and therefore given its large size this means there is a risk of crime and anti-social behaviour in secluded spaces within the park during the hours of darkness.

“But equally this is also a risk during the daytime hours; and both will likely be exacerbated by alcohol consumption in the park.”

He added: “This would be like having another pub in the park. Which is especially a concern given the area proposed for the events is very near Mackenzie Gardens, not far away from the children’s play area in the park.

“The summer period is when people want to enjoy peaceful outdoor green open spaces and when children want and need to play in a clean and green outdoor environment.”

A consultation survey closed last Thursday and the council are reviewing the application.

Tom Graham from the Friends of Finsbury Park group said: “The Friends of Finsbury Park are hugely supportive of low-impact cultural events within the park and were excited to hear about what entertainment the Open Arms event might bring to local residents.”

He added: “However, as the months since first notification have ticked on we have grown increasingly concerned at the lack of detail on performances. Despite enquiries, we have yet to see any details of cultural activities planned or local artists supporting. They have applied for an alcohol licence for four months from June, five days a week, midday to 9pm, on a site in the heart of the park, near playgrounds.

“We are very worried at the prospect this event becomes a pub in the middle of the park.”

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “We have received a number of representations regarding this licensing application for a cultural event to be held in Finsbury Park between May and September this year.

Once we have reviewed all the feedback, we will take this application forward to the Licensing Sub Committee for a final decision and – if it is successful – we will work with partners and stakeholders to ensure any concerns over public safety and noise are addressed and minimised as much as possible.”