Plans to play music at a market in Greenwich have been refused after a neighbour claimed they felt ‘trapped’ in their own home from the existing noise in the area.

Greenwich Council has refused permission for Greenwich Hospital to play music at its market in Cutty Sark Gardens.

The decision report, published this week, said the authority’s licensing sub committee had noted neighbours’ claims that there was already an ongoing increase in public nuisance and noise that was impacting their daily living.

The licence would have allowed live music to be played at the market from Friday to Sunday between midday and 4pm, with noise reportedly being limited to 65 decibels.

The topic was discussed at a licensing meeting for Greenwich Council on July 8, during which local councillors claimed current council regulations to prevent busking in the area were ‘incredibly poorly enforced’.

Labour Councillor Calum O’Byrne Mulligan said he had already submitted two complaints on excessive noise originating from the market in April this year.

The council’s sub committee also noted that the intended location for the music was only 20 metres from the nearby Rockfield House.

Anna Ginsburg, a resident leaseholder in the block, said she was shocked by the application and locals already endured noise from the various nearby attractions and ‘endless’ amplified buskers.

Milagros Grady, who claimed to have lived beside Cutty Sark Gardens for nearly 40 years, said at the meeting: “I can tell you that I have panic attacks because of the loudness that comes through.

"It’s so great that I feel so trapped and hopeless. That was a really horrible experience, being trapped in your home and not being able to come out to a place of safety because you are surrounded by this loudness around you.”

James Charlton, head of property at Greenwich Hospital, claimed the application could potentially limit and remove the unauthorised busking that was happening in the area.

Rachid Ghailane, the legal representative for Greenwich Hospital, said that he was happy to offer a direct line with residents to voice complaints as necessary.

Mr Ghailane said at the meeting: “We are competing with other markets as well in the area, in the docklands and different places and every market, having [music] as a part of the market’s strategy to enhance the economy and help and support the traders and in the meantime to have a place become vibrant and attractive.”

The sub committee reportedly did not consider the 65 decibel noise limit as sufficient to prevent an increase in disturbance from the music when making its decision.

It was also noted that ‘compelling’ evidence had been heard of music already being played from market stallholders for long periods of time.

The report said: “The evidence before the licensing sub committee included evidence of residents not being able to use their premises without being disturbed by noise and music, not being able to work from home and one resident’s health being particularly affected by the existing noise and public nuisance.”

Greenwich Hospital has a right to appeal to the magistrates’ court in order to challenge the decision within 21 days of it being issued.