The franchise owner of a McDonald's branch in a residential area has been granted permission to keep his restaurant and drive-through take-away open around the clock, seven days a week.  

People living near the fast-food outlet in Sewardstone Road, Chingford, raised fears of disruption, but the proposal was approved on Friday by councillors Nadeem Ali, Tim Bennett-Goodman and John Moss.

It was passed on the grounds the application and premises had not been subject to any objections from authorities, complaints to the council or police incidents since 2013.

Directly next to McDonald's is Wingrove House, a 25-flat supported housing block for over 55s with low-level health needs and disabilities. 

An objection was submitted by Mike Freeman, chairman of Drysdale and District Residents Association, which represents 750 homes in the area. 

Mr Freeman said: "We're not worried about litter as such, but noise.

"It is one of the quietest parts of the borough and provides respite for residents in Sewardstone Road. 

"Now many people will continue their night at McDonald's once the pubs and close."

Franchisee John Loizou admitted the Chingford branch is "more residential" than any other McDonald's in the area, but told the committee he does not anticipate his business will attract "high-street style problems". 

For more on this story, see this week's Guardian - out Thursday