Lovers of a north London beauty spot fear a bid to allow drinking and live music at weddings will mean it is “no longer a safe place for families”.

The City of London Corporation, which runs Hampstead Heath, has submitted an application to Camden Council for an alcohol and live music licence for Hill Garden between 10am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday.

Licensing documents state that "less than 5,000 people" are expected to attend the venue at any one time, raising fears that thousands of wedding guests could descend on the area.

But City of London has since said that weddings will be capped at 120 guests.

The corporation's website describes the landscaped garden, which was once the private garden of a demolished manor house, as "one of the hidden delights of Hampstead Heath".

The proposals have concerned locals, who claim that it would enable “drunken, anti-social behaviour” in the area.

One resident said that it would “change the character of the whole area”, resulting in Hill Garden and Pergola no longer being “a safe place for families to come”.

A spokesperson for the Corporation said: “We have been running wedding ceremonies at Hampstead Heath since 2014. There are very strict measures in place to limit the number of weddings and maintain public access.

“Ceremonies are small events capped at two hours and 120 guests, which must finish before closing times at dusk.

“The licence will allow an external provider to continue to run weddings within the same restrictions.

“The Pergola is a heritage structure that has high maintenance costs. The income generated by weddings ensures the charity can preserve this asset for everyone to enjoy for generations to come.”

Do you live near Hill Garden? What did you think of the proposals for a licensed wedding venue? Send thoughts to alex.marsh@newsquest.co.uk