Neighbours of a McDonald’s are rallying against proposals to extend the restaurant’s opening hours until 2am.

Harrow Council is currently considering an application from the company to have its South Harrow eatery in Shaftsbury Circle’s drive through open from 5am until 2am.

Opposing the application, neighbour Mark Dunning, of Shaftesbury Parade, South Harrow, said: “I wish to register an objection and concern in order that the experiences of local residents be maintained rather than diminished.

“The Shaftesbury Circle Junction is constantly busy and this generates a significant amount of road noise for residents. By extending the hours of the restaurant, there will be an increase in road traffic at a time when traffic might normally expect to be somewhat lighter.”

Last year, neighbours of the restaurant lobbied Harrow on the Hill councillors to take issue with the venue’s management over the noise and litter generated from the building.

Mr Dunning added: “The restaurant has erected some notices requesting that customers respect their neighbours but there is no way of guaranteeing this.

“Cars arriving and leaving, those sitting and eating – perhaps with windows open and music playing – will increase the noise experienced by those of us living near this venue.”

The restaurant is currently open from 6am until 11pm, and in July last year was granted permission to extend its drive through hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday on the condition that staff empty bins more regularly.

Conservative Harrow on the Hill councillor June Baxter said: “It does not seem sensible to me for South Harrow McDonald’s to extend its opening times in this way, as I don’t think the site is suitable for virtually 24 hour opening.

“The residents would be disturbed during the night with more vehicles creating a noise nuisance, especially as it is a drive-through, and I’m also concerned that the problem of littering would increase.”

The application, submitted on July 30, comes as the Labour-run council confirmed it will be making six environmental staff redundant as the authority cuts back on street cleaning.

Kurt Jansen, the McDonald’s franchisee who lodged the application, said: “I want to serve customers at the times that suits them, especially as more and more people are living outside of the nine-to-five routine.

“That being said, my main priority is to be a good and responsible neighbour and am happy to work with any member of the local community who has any concerns about the operations of my restaurant.”

Councillors will consider the application when they next meet for a planning meeting on September 3.