A banning order on cultural events in Mitcham town centre has sparked opposition from hundreds of outraged residents and business owners.

Noise complaints from a handful of traders around Fair Green prompted council officers to block use of the square for community activities requiring amplified sound following Mitcham’s Summer Fair last month.

The ban will remain in place until a consultation over future use of council-owned space has been conducted - a process which could take until November.

In little over a week 700 signed a petition claiming the local authority is restricting efforts to pull the community together, with some planned events now cancelled or scaled back.

The council has refused to confirm exactly how many complaints it has received, although it insists it is more than just two claimed by protesters.

Mitcham Summer Fair organiser, Grace Salmon, said: “The council would rather hear a tumble weed drift through Fair Green than the sound of a community celebrating. There’s just so much anger about this decision.

“Measures could have been put in place to keep the noise down but no effort has been made to contact the community before making the decision.”

Peace Week celebrations later this month and events marking Black History month in October are likely to be scaled back, organisers have claimed.

But Merton Council’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Andrew Judge said any event already booked through the council will go ahead as normal.

He said: “My understanding is that there have been a number of complaints from traders claiming they have lost business as a result of the noise.

“I’m sorry if anyone has been upset by this but the council cannot ignore complaints of the number we have received. Fair Green is in the middle of an urban area with lots of buildings nearby.”

He added that recent events had breeched agreed sound limits.

However, in a letter of complaint to the council’s chief executive, Mike Smith, owner of Mitcham’s McDonald’s and a director of Merton’s Chamber of Commerce, claimed events in the square were good for business.

He wrote: “I represent many business individuals and groups in Mitcham Fair Green and I have not heard or seen any written or verbal complaints.

“In fact quite the contrary. All cultures are represented in Mitcham and any activity should be totally inclusive, educational and fun, so why stop an event due to amplified sound?

“Reduce the sound maybe. Recently a group of professional musicians were playing amplified sound all day and every single business, resident and child were enjoying the experience.”

To add your name to the petition, email positiventwrk@yahoo.co.uk