People of Hampstead should sleep a little easier after fast food giant McDonald’s dropped its controversial bid to serve late-night burgers.

The Hampstead High Street restaurant had riled residents by attempting to extend its opening hours from 11.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays until 1am, and from 11.15pm to midnight during the rest of the week.

Many residents were aghast that the chain had once again tried to increase its hours after a similar attempt was blocked in 2011.

Jessica Learmond-Criqui, a solicitor who spearheads the Hampstead Shops Campaign and lives in Redington Road, said: “Objections have been streaming in and hopefully McDonald’s have listened and will not try to do it again.

“It means there will be peace for residents. They recognise that businesses need to open and provide a service to customers, but there’s a fine line between providing a service and being a nuisance.”

McDonald’s has yet to confirm why it withdrew the application.